Among the various effects thatCovid-19cause in people we find some related todermatological aspects.

One of the most significant manifestations in this regard has been thediffuse hair loss, a phenomenon known as telogen effluvium, which usually appears after 2 or 3 months after contracting Covid-19.

Several patients have come to my office with this problem without knowing how to solve it and not knowing the reason for this effect.In this article I want to give you some tips to deal with this hair loss after Covid-19 infection and explain the reasons for its appearance so that you do not feel lost.

What is telogen effluvium?

Telogen effluviumit is a type of reversible alopeciacharacterized by significant hair loss as a result of a sudden change in the phases of hair growth.

Hair grows following a cycle that is divided into three parts: phaseanagen,catagenandtelogen.The first is a growth phase, the second is transitional and in the last the hair falls out, giving rise to the growth of new hair.

In cases of telogen effluvium, the hair goes directly from the growth phase (anagen) to the resting or falling phase (telogen).

Patients with this condition notice that they lose more hair than normal when washing or brushing their hair and even feel that they leave more hair on the pillow when they get up.

Generallyhair loss is diffuse and affects the entire scalp, causing a decrease in hair density.Some people have also reported scalp pain (trichodynia)

However, I always communicate to my patients thattelogen effluvium usually subsides and the hair will gradually regain its density.However, the recovery period can last several months.

Causes related to telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is aheterogeneous diseasewith multiple causes.Some of the reasons for its appearance are: the consumption of certain medications, diseases, traumatic or stressful events, postpartum stage, inadequate diets or vitamin deficiencies, among others.

A correct diagnosis in time carried out by specialists is important to be able to treat some of the causes of telogen effluvium.

Appearance of telogen effluvium after Covid-19 infection

Several studies have shown that Covid-19 infectioncan be one of the causes of the appearance of telogen effluvium.

One of the most important in this regard has been thepublished by Spanish dermatologistsand in which a total of 191 patients diagnosed with telogen effluvium and who had contracted the viral infection participated.

Most of the participants were women with a mean age of 47 years.86% of them presented fever during the infection, but the majority (71%) did not require hospitalization.

Fifty-nine percent of the study members presented telogen effluvium with a high or very high intensity according to the Sinclair severity scale, an average of 57 days after diagnosis of the infection.

According to the researchers of the study, a possible hypothesis that relates telogen effluvium with Covid-19 is therole of one of the proteins called pro-inflammatory cytokines.These are released during Covid-19 disease andcause a sudden change in the hair growth cycle, inducing it from the anagen phase to the telogen phase.

Experts also indicate that another possible cause is the potential relationship that exists between thetelogen effluvium and the use of some drugs such as anticoagulants.

It is important to note that,asymptomatic patients infected with the Covid-19 virus may also experience telogen effluviumWell, it is not something that is limited to people with symptoms.

How is telogen effluvium diagnosed?

The diagnosis of telogen effluvium should be made by adermatologist through a series of questions to the patient and through a general clinical examination.Likewise, aevaluation using digital photography, which will be important not only for the initial diagnosis but also to monitor the evolution and response to treatment.

In some cases, if the professional suspects that telogen effluvium is being caused by a nutritional deficit, he or she can request an analysis of the patient.

Measures to solve telogen effluvium

Acute telogen effluviumusually resolves when the initial trigger disappears.This is the reason why a good diagnosis on time is crucial to be able to detect the cause and treat it.

Once the appropriate treatment has been started,the fall slows down gradually and it usually takes months to regain normal hair length.

The information we have so far related to telogen effluvium caused by Covid-19 in terms of its time of onset and severity aresimilar to effluvia induced by other infections.The evolution and prognosis are expected to be similar, so hair recovery will also be similar.

Nutricosmetics are a great ally in the recovery of hair lost by telogen effluvium.Combined with a healthy diet, they will provide the body with the vitamins and minerals necessary to solve hair loss.

They work especially well intelogen effluvium situations caused by diseases(as in the case of Covid-19) or by afood deficit.

In fact, in the study mentioned above, nutricosmetics were the most recommended treatments for patients with telogen effluvium caused by Covid-19 infection followed bytopical minoxidiland theoral minoxidil.

Nutricosmetics likeOlisticwith a 100% natural composition can be asupport during your recovery and hair recovery.

Its formula acts comprehensively and provides your body with the necessary nutrients for hair to grow back strong and healthy.

Covid-19 infection can affect our hair in the form of acute telogen effluvium approximately 3 months after infection, even in asymptomatic patients.

The prognosis of the disease is good and, although the restoration of hair growth can be slow, the hair usually recovers in its entirety.

The role of the dermatologist is keyto be able to make a correct diagnosis, individualize the treatment and carry out a follow-up until the hair recovers.

In many cases,supplement treatment with nutricosmeticsit will be a great support for a more efficient and faster recovery.