There is a sharp rise in the number of temporary reversible hair loss cases which are also known as telogen effluvium in post-Covid patients due to physical and emotional stress, say doctors. According to them, exercise, de-stressing, and eating a well-balanced diet will help get rid of hair fall.

“Hair loss post-Covid usually begins two or three months after the patient has recovered from Covid-19. Noticeable hair loss usually starts after an average of about 55 days post-recovery. Hair loss happens due to fever because of infection, diet changes, stress due to isolation, financial worries, or fear of losing the job. This hair loss is known as telogen effluvium. This condition is a temporary form of hair loss and is often seen in Covid patients because of the shock that the body sustains resulting from fever and other symptoms. We have seen around 20 patients with such hair fall recently,” said Dr Debraj Shome, cosmetic surgeon and director, The Esthetic Clinics.

While the adverse effect of Covid-19 on mental and physical conditions of even those who have not had the infection is well-known and documented, problems such as hair loss are fast emerging as one of the common side-effects of this pandemic, mentioned experts. “Multiple studies have confirmed that hair fall is an after-effect of Covid-19. Patients are also reporting hair loss because of stress caused because of the impending corona threat,” Dr Shome said.