COVID-19 Hair Loss

A new and distressing COVID-19 symptom has come to light recently: hair loss. COVID-19 patients are noticing that following their diagnosis they are experiencing clumps of lost hair falling out. After the stressful experience of COVID-19, this unexpected follow-up is obviously unwelcome.

Medical professionals believe the hair loss to be a temporary condition known as telogen effluvium. Telogen refers to the cycle of hair growth. Effluvium is derived from the Latin word effluo meaning “to flow out or away.” Quite literally, telogen effluvium means to experience your hair flying out of your head.

For many post-COVID-19 patients, the sudden hair loss after their diagnosis feels just like this.

Whether the virus itself results in hair loss, it is caused by a high fever or the stress of enduring the symptoms prompts it, experiencing new hair loss can be a startling and frustrating experience. For those who just want to return to normal after a bout with illness, now having to cope with hair loss is an unneeded burden.

Fortunately, telogen effluvium appears to be almost universally temporary. So while it is inconvenient, it will not be a permanent state of affairs.

Coping with COVID-19 Hair Loss

In the meantime, Rosalind Stella’s has several options for those looking to cope with hair loss in the short term after COVID-19.

For those who are experiencing only partial or patchy hair loss, hairpieces that attach into existing hair and fall naturally with it disguise bald spots. If hair loss presents as thinning rather than bald patches, traditional clip-in extensions can add in some volume and length until your hair returns to its former growth.

When extreme hair loss occurs from telogen effluvium, including multiple patches or more than fifty percent of hair loss, turning to a full wig will be the easiest, most time-efficient method. Wigs come in many styles, colors and materials so you can match your budget and your look with ease.

Human hair wigs tend to be more durable and expensive when compared with synthetic wigs. Since telogen effluvium is expected to be temporary, it may make sense to go with a synthetic wig, as you will not need it to hold up as long.

If you are experiencing COVID-19 hair loss, Rosalind Stella’s is here for you. Reach out to our staff to make a socially-distanced, masked-up appointment to investigate which hair loss solutions may be right for you. Get in touch with us today by calling (215) 725-3930 or sending us a message.