Weeks or months after having a fever or COVID, some patients are noticing their hair falling out in clumps. This is actually called “hair shedding”. Patients should know that sickness and fevers can cause your hair to shed during the hair growth lifecycle.
What is hair shedding and how long does it last?
Two or more months after fever or illness, handfuls of hair can come out when you brush your hair or shower. This “shedding” process can last on average six to nine months. Extreme stress can contribute to hair shedding. During the pandemic and illness, many experience additional stress that leads to hair loss.
What should I do about hair shedding?
"Most who experience hair shedding will see the hair returns to normal with time," says Sarah Lund Peterson, PA-C.
Genetics play a key role in hair loss as well, and hair shedding can sometimes unmask an underlying androgenic, or genetic hair loss. If hair does not return to normal 6-9 months after experiencing hair shedding, this may be the case. Though there is no cure for androgenic alopecia, PRP treatments use your own growth factors extracted from your blood to stimulate thicker healthier hair growth and can combat the signs of genetic hair loss.
If you feel you are experiencing hair loss for reasons other than illness or COVID, please call your provider for an appointment.