How to deal with after-effects of corona virus infection?

Dermatologists worldwide are seeing an increase in the number of skin and hair-related issues as an aftermath of the Covid-19 disease. While different types of skin rash, infections like herpes zoster, candidiasis, are all on the rise, severe hair loss in the post covid recovery phase, is the commonest problem faced by most coronavirus patients. This hair loss is called Telogen Effluvium in medical terms.

What is telogen effluvium?

Acute telogen effluvium occurs as a sequela to any kind of a shock to the internal system, e.g. medical illness, surgery, accident, childbirth, stress, etc. These stressors/ triggering factors disrupt the normal functioning of the body and directly interfere with the normal hair cycle. These changes result in a sudden shift of hair from the ‘resting phase’ into the ‘shedding phase’. 

Who is affected by it? And how?

Anyone who has gone through the physical and mental stress of covid-19 infection can experience this kind of hair loss. The hair fall is typically sudden in onset, can start between 2 to 3 months during the post covid phase and the number of hair lost per day is overwhelming for the patient.

How to deal with it?

The good news is that this is a temporary type of hair loss. It lasts for 3 to 6 months but sometimes can persist for longer than that. But there are certain things that need to be taken care of while tackling this hair fall.

- Ensure that your diet is nutritious and rich in protein sources. A diet with balanced macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients is essential during this period. 

- Patient should be checked for iron, calcium, and other vitamin deficiencies. If found deficient, the patient should be promptly started on respective supplements.

- Avoid stress. Stress leads to more hair loss. Yoga, meditation, adequate sleep are some measures to keep stress in control.

- Do NOT fall into the trap of some magical overnight-hair regrowth remedies.

-Seek help from a dermatologist, who will guide you with the correct medical advice and treatment.