Can COVID-19 cause hair loss?

After you recover from COVID-19, you may notice more hairs falling out

Some people see their hair fall out in large clumps a few months after getting over this illness.

Research from around the world confirms that some people develop hair loss after recovering from COVID-19. Researchers have found that when hair loss occurs, it’s likely caused by one of the following:

• Temporary hair shedding called telogen effluvium: With this temporary hair shedding, you may notice more hairs than usual fall out.

• Flare-up of existing alopecia areata (less common): Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair to stop growing, usually resulting in one or more round or oval patches of hair loss on the head.

You needn’t have had severe COVID-19 to see more hair on your brush. Many people who experience hair loss had mild COVID symptoms.

Temporary hair shedding can occur after a fever, illness, or stress

In studies, about 20% of people who had COVID-19 later developed temporary hair shedding, which usually begins a few months after recovery from COVID-19. If you have hair shedding, you’ll see many more hairs than usual fall out all over your scalp.

The hair shedding can occur a few months after you experience a stressful event or illness, especially an illness that causes a fever. Because COVID-19 causes a fever, some people see excessive hair shedding after they recover.

People also develop excessive hair shedding after they recover from other diseases like pneumonia, scarlet fever, and the flu.

Most people regrow their hair over a period of several months without treatment.

Alopecia areata can flare after stress or illness

If you have alopecia areata, it’s possible to have a flare-up after recovering from COVID-19.

In Italy, researchers found that 42.5% of people who had alopecia areata and developed COVID-19 saw their alopecia areata flare. By comparison, 12.5% of people who had alopecia areata and didn’t get COVID-19 had a flare-up.

When do hair shedding and alopecia areata start?

Hair shedding usually begins 2 to 3 months after you get COVID-19. In one study that looked at hair loss after COVID-19, hair shedding often began after 56 days, so a little under two months.

A flare-up of alopecia areata can begin earlier. In studies, most people had a flare-up 1 to 3 months after getting COVID-19.

How long do hair shedding and alopecia areata last?

Hair shedding usually lasts 3 to 6 months, and then hair starts regrowing on its own.

Predicting how long hair loss due to alopecia areata can last is more difficult. Many people, especially children, regrow their hair without treatment. Some people who have alopecia areata need treatment to help their hair regrow.

What can you do to regrow hair after recovering from COVID-19?

If you have hair shedding, you’ll likely see new growth without treatment. Regrowth begins 3 to 6 months after shedding starts. Most people see complete regrowth within 6 to 8 months.

If you have alopecia areata, contact your dermatologist to find out if treatment is recommended.

Dermatologists help many people experiencing hair loss

Hair loss occurs for many reasons. If you’re unsure why your hair is falling out or the hair loss seems particularly dramatic or patchy, it can be helpful to see a board-certified dermatologist. Some types of hair loss require treatment to see regrowth. For treatment to be effective, you often need to find the cause. Dermatologists have the expertise needed to find out what’s causing your hair loss. To locate a board-certified dermatologist, go Find a Dermatologist.

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References
Christensen RE, Jafferany M. “Association between alopecia areata and COVID-19: A systematic review.” JAAD Int. 2022 Jun;7:57-61.

Lopez-Leon S, Wegman-Ostrosky T, et al. “More than 50 long-term effects of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Sci Rep. 2021 Aug 9;11(1):16144.

Nguyen B, Tosti A. “Alopecia in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” JAAD Int. 2022 Jun;7:67-77.

Ohyama M, Matsudo K, et al. “Management of hair loss after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection: Insight into the pathophysiology with implication for better management.” J Dermatol. 2022 Oct;49(10):939-947.

Otsuka Y, Nakano Y, et al. Recovery from alopecia after COVID-19”. Cureus. 2022 Jan 12;14(1):e21160.

Sharquie KE, Jabbar RI. “COVID-19 infection is a major cause of acute telogen effluvium”. Ir J Med Sci. 2022 Aug;191(4):1677-81.

Written by:
Paula Ludmann, MS

Reviewed by:
Elizabeth Damstetter, MD, FAAD
Arthuro R. Dominguez, MD, FAAD
Esther E. Freeman, MD, PhD, FAAD
Neelam Khan, MD, FAAD
Sanna Ronkainen, MD, FAAD

Last updated: 8/6/24