Hair loss after covid and other infections

Since the pandemic we have seen many people seek help for heavy hair loss after covid-19, but the phenomenon is not unique to covid. Any febrile illness and infection that stresses the body can trigger the same reaction: telogen effluvium, where a large proportion of follicles enter the resting phase at the same time.

The typical thing is that the shedding does not come during the illness itself, but two to three months afterwards. It can then come suddenly and feel dramatic, large clumps in the brush and a diffuse thinning across the whole head. Many become worried and think they have developed permanent hair loss. That is almost never the case.

Because the follicles are not damaged, just temporarily dormant, the hair recovers on its own in the vast majority of cases within 6-12 months. What you can do yourself is ensure good nutrition (especially iron and protein), sleep properly and be patient, hair grows slowly, so the improvement shows with a delay.

If the shedding drags on beyond a year, or if you see a clear pattern (recession, crown) rather than diffuse loss, there may be another underlying cause worth investigating with blood tests. At Hair TP Clinic we do a trichoscope assessment at a free consultation and can use PRP as support to stimulate the follicles during recovery.