Telogen effluvium is believed to be the cause of excessive hair loss after COVID-19 illness. Good news is that in many cases this is reversible and can hair loss can recover in 3-6 months. Hair loss can be stressful, but you are not alone. Read below to learn more.
What is Telogen Effluvium?
Telogen effluvium is excessive hair shedding that leads to non-scarring alopecia in the setting of extreme emotional or physical stress. Hair has multiple cycles it goes through in the growth cycle. Anagen (growth phase) – Catagen (transitional phase) – Telogen (resting phase).
Causes
When under extreme emotional or physical stress such as COVID-19 or after having a baby, people may start to experience hair loss because many of the hair follicles enter the resting phase (telogen) at the same time. It is not completely understood why this happens, but there is some speculation that it could be related to cortisol. When hair is in it’s healthy state only about 5-10% of the hair follicles are in the resting state, but with telogen effluvium about 30% of hair follicles are in the restating state (telogen).
Treatment
- Remove stressor
- Improve nutrition (protein rich diet and ensure you are getting adequate vitamins)
- Drink plenty of water
- Scalp massages to increase blood flow to your hair follicles
- Rosemary oil on the scalp
- Tea rinses on shampoo days
- Deep condition regularly
Recovery
Give yourself time, as most recover within 3-6 months after the stressor has been removed.