Does COVID-19 cause hair loss? Here are 5 foods that promote hair growth and overall health
Hair loss hasn’t been listed yet as a consequence of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus or the SARS-CoV-2. However, a string of patients recovered from COVID-19 reported that they lost hair months after infection. This unusual complication after recovering from the illness has left experts baffled.
For instance, more than 27 per cent of people who responded to a Survivor Corps Facebook poll said they experienced hair loss months after recovering from COVID-19. Dr Michele Green, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told USA Today that “patients have literally come in with bags of hair looking like a full head of hair was in the bag”.
“They all have similar stories. That they were extremely sick with high fevers and have never been that sick in their entire lives,” Dr Green added.
Doctors believe that hair loss may be caused by a shock to the body resulting from a high fever and other symptoms, and may not be directly linked to the virus. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hair loss can be caused by a number of factors, including age, hormonal imbalances, genetics, stress, other health conditions and medication, etc.
COVID-19 and hair loss: How are they linked?
Earlier, a paper published in the JAMA found that about 44 per cent of patients who had recovered from COVID-19 reported they had worsened quality of life. Many recovered patients reported persistence of at least one symptom, particularly fatigue and dyspnea. However, none had reported experiencing hair loss.
Telogen effluvium (TE), a form of temporary hair loss caused by a physical or emotional stress, or illness, is the most common type of hair loss COVID-19 patients are having, said experts. Telogen effluvium can cause hair shedding all over the head and not just limited to one area. This form of hair loss usually affects the top of the scalp. TE is a poorly defined condition with very little research done to understand it. This form of hair loss is reversible and the hair often grows back within six months - although it may take one year to 18 months for some people before their hair returns to its usual pattern.
Gregory A Poland, MD, an infectious disease expert at Mayo Clinic and spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, was quoted as saying by WebMD that telogen effluvium is linked to “severe illness, autoimmune disorders, and people who have a stroke or heart attack”, adding that people experience this type of hair loss when they are immensely stressed.
Sara Hogan, MD, a health sciences clinical instructor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said she is now seeing new COVID-19 patients every week who experience hair loss for the first time.
“People are getting sick, losing jobs, and dealing with a lot of uncertainty related to their income and well-being, and I knew that it was going to be significant,” she added, reported WebMD.
What can you do about hair loss?
While experts don’t really know at this point of time what makes COVID-19 patients lose hair, patients can focus on eating a healthy, balanced diet and take vitamins that can help promote hair growth. A nutritious diet and other healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, proper sleep, stress management will not only make your hair thicker but also improve overall health.
Superfoods for hair growth
Here are some of the best foods you can include in your diet to prevent hair loss:
- Yogurt: Yogurt is rich in protein, which is the building blocks of your locks. Yogurt also contains vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) that helps with hair growth and blood flow to your scalp. This vitamin may also help against hair thinning and loss.
- Eggs: Eggs are a great source of several vitamins, particularly protein and biotin - the two key nutrients that support hair growth. Research has linked a deficiency of these nutrients to hair loss.
- Salmon: Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that may improve hair growth and density. Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that your body can’t make and can help protect you from certain health conditions such as heart disease.
- Spinach: Spinach and other dark leafy greens are packed full of nutrients and antioxidants linked to numerous health benefits. Spinach contains significant amounts of vitamin A, folate, iron, beta carotene, and vitamin C, all of which are great for your locks.
- Nuts: Nuts are among the healthiest foods on the planet. They are nutritious, convenient and a great food for promoting for hair growth. Nuts contain several nutrients, including vitamin E, vitamin B complex, zinc and fatty acids, all of which can boost your health in different ways. It is claimed that a lack of these nutrients can lead to hair loss.
The bottom line is, your diet can make a huge difference in your hair and overall health. Eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, managing stress and sticking to other healthy habits will avoid hair loss and keep you fit.