Hair fall after Covid-19 is temporary, and stressing over this can further worsen the hair shedding. Try these tips instead.
Did you know that everyone loses around 50 to 100 hair strands each day? From hormonal changes to various medical conditions, a receding hairline can be triggered by many other reasons. However, Covid-19 has also proved to be an addition to the causes of hair fall.
Experiencing major hair fall right after recovering from Covid-19 has emerged as a common problem. A lot of people who had a brush with the virus are complaining of hair fall. The exact reason why coronavirus triggers hair fall is not known. Nevertheless, hair loss is not related to treatment for Covid-19. Rather, it is the stress of illness that is said to trigger a hair shedding phase called ‘Telogen Effluvium’.
Dimple Jangda, Health coach and Ayurveda expert, who actively shares her insights on various health issues has posted a video of her stance on this.
Recalling her own experience of contact with Covid-19, Jangda writes in her Instagram caption, “I remember when I tested asymptomatic Covid-19 positive last year, I had no symptoms and issues, thanks to many factors including a healthy lifestyle and Ayurvedic herbs. But what nobody prepared me for was ‘Telogen Effluvium’.”
Sharing how bad her hair fall situation was, Jangda writes, “Chronic hair loss and disaster struck for me after 3 months. Needless to say, it was scary.”
What causes hair fall after Covid-19?
In the condition of Covid-19 infection, your hair may enter the shedding phase due to shock or stress. As a result, mass shedding of hair may occur. However, it is a temporary condition and hair can regrow.
Some studies claim that just like many other illnesses, Covid-19 can suppress the production of new cells and proteins in the hair follicle. Therefore, your hair may fall out and even your nails may appear brittle.
However an excerpt from Jangda’s post says, this hair fall condition where the hair follicles go into a resting phase, is because the body uses up all iron reserves to rebuild the red blood cells.
“Covid-19 attacks cells carrying oxygen to your body and causes considerable damage to your RBCs. The body goes into a survival mechanism, saving up nutrients and iron reserves for essential organs. Your skin and hair is the last to receive any nutrition, and in this situation much less.” adds Jangda.
Check out her video yourself:
What’s the cure for Covid-19 induced hair fall?
Dimple Jangda shared a DIY hair spray remedy and a few precautions you can take if you’re experiencing hair fall after Covid-19.
1. Abandon the brush, the comb and hair dryer
Hair dryer is said to cause breakage normally, so why take the risk when your hair is already at its weakest. Your hair can’t take minor combing, brushing or even touching. Therefore, do not try to comb your hair too much. Try to gently unknot them using your fingers if necessary.
2. Stay away from shampoos and conditioners
The detergents, sulphates and parabens in your shampoo can harm your hair further. As off-putting as it may sound, do not wash your hair (at least too often) when you’re experiencing Telogen Effluvium.
3. Make this DIY hair spray to combat hair fall
Jangda suggested a DIY hair spray to keep your hair feeling clean and fresh instead. Take a bunch of rosemary and boil it in 1 litre of water for 10 minutes. Filter it, cool it down and pour this rosemary extract into a spray bottle. Add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to this mix. Spray it on your scalp 3-5 times a day. It will dry up on its own. Apple cider vinegar will act as a natural cleanser for your scalp. This remedy will help you regrow all your lost hair.
Article written by Shifa Khan for Health Shots