Does COVID cause hair loss?

Yes, COVID-19 can cause temporary hair loss in some individuals. This type of hair shedding is known as telogen effluvium, which occurs when stress or illness forces hair follicles into the shedding (telogen) phase at a faster rate than usual. People may experience noticeable hair shedding months after recovering from COVID-19, with clumps of hair falling out and a thinning appearance.

Telogen effluvium affects 22% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and is also associated with long COVID. Research suggests that people with a previous COVID-19 infection are four times more likely to experience hair loss than those who were not infected. The symptoms typically begin about two to three months after the illness, and hair tends to return to normal within six to nine months.

Telogen effluvium is a self-limiting condition, and while it can be concerning, hair usually regrows. However, in rare cases, persistent hair loss, known as chronic telogen effluvium, may occur in some long COVID patients due to the body's significant stress response during the recovery process.