Hair loss after COVID-19: why it happens and how long it lasts

During the pandemic, dermatologists saw many people who were worried about sudden hair fall weeks after recovering from COVID-19. The good news is that in most cases this is a temporary type of shedding called telogen effluvium, and the hair usually recovers with time ¹.

Why hair falls after an illness

Each hair follicle cycles through a long growth phase, a short transition phase and a resting phase, after which the hair is shed and a new one begins to grow. Normally only a small proportion of hairs are resting at any one time.

A physical shock to the body, such as a high fever, a serious infection, an operation or major stress, can push many more hairs into the resting phase at once. Those hairs then fall out together a couple of months later. This is telogen effluvium ^{2 3}. COVID-19 can involve fever, inflammation, stress and sometimes a hospital stay, so it is a typical trigger.

What the research found

A systematic review published in 2022 pulled together 19 studies covering 465 people diagnosed with acute telogen effluvium after COVID-19 ¹. It found that:

• Most of the patients were women, although men were affected too
• On average, hair loss appeared about 74 days (around two and a half months) after COVID-19 symptoms began, slightly earlier than is typical for telogen effluvium after other triggers
• Most people recovered from the hair loss, while a small number had shedding that continued

It also noted that hair loss after COVID-19 can be very distressing, even though it usually settles by itself.

What it looks like

• Noticeably more hair on the pillow, in the shower and in your brush
• Hair coming out in handfuls when washing or combing
• General thinning across the whole scalp, rather than bald patches
• Sometimes more noticeable thinning at the temples

The hairs that fall usually have a small white bulb at the root. That is a normal resting hair, not a sign of damage to the follicle.

How long does it last?

Telogen effluvium after a single trigger usually tapers back to normal over about six to nine months ². Shedding tends to slow first, then fine new hairs appear, often visible as short hairs along the hairline. Getting back to your previous thickness takes longer, because hair grows only about a centimetre a month. Our article on how fast hair grows explains why.

If shedding continues beyond six months, or you notice gradual thinning at the crown or parting rather than general shedding, another cause may be involved, such as pattern hair loss that the shedding has made more obvious.

Long COVID and hair loss

Some people have symptoms that continue for weeks or months after COVID-19, known as long COVID. The NHS lists hair loss among its possible symptoms, along with tiredness, breathlessness, problems with memory and concentration, and others ⁴. If you have ongoing symptoms, see a GP.

Other things to check

Illness can affect appetite and lead to weight loss, and low iron or other nutrient problems can add to shedding. A doctor may suggest blood tests, such as iron levels, thyroid function or a full blood count, especially if shedding is heavy or prolonged ⁵. See anaemia and hair loss and when hair loss can be a sign of illness.

What may help

For most people, the main treatment is time and reassurance. There is no proven way to stop telogen effluvium once it has started, but these steps support recovery:

• Eat well. Regular meals with enough protein, iron and other nutrients support recovery from illness ⁶
• Be gentle with your hair. Use a mild shampoo, avoid tight styles and limit heat while shedding is heavy ⁷
• Keep washing your hair. Washing does not cause extra hair loss; it only removes hairs that were already going to fall
• Look after your stress levels. Worry about hair loss is understandable, and it helps to know that this type usually settles ⁸
• Track your progress. Photos taken in the same light every few weeks can show recovery more clearly than daily checks

Avoid spending money on expensive supplements or treatments that promise quick results. Unless a deficiency has been found, there is little evidence they speed recovery.

When to see a doctor

See a GP or dermatologist if:

• Shedding is still heavy after six months
• You notice bald patches, or the scalp is itchy, painful or scaly
• You have other ongoing symptoms after COVID-19
• You are losing weight without trying or feel unusually tired

The bottom line

Hair loss after COVID-19 is usually telogen effluvium, starting around two to three months after the illness. Most people recover, though it can take several months. Eat well, be gentle with your hair, and see a doctor if it lasts longer than six months. For the first steps with any sudden hair fall, read a calm first response to hair loss.

Frequently asked questions

Can COVID-19 cause hair loss?

Yes. Many people develop telogen effluvium after COVID-19, usually around two to three months after symptoms began ^{1 2}.

How long does post-COVID hair loss last?

Telogen effluvium usually tapers back to normal over about six to nine months, and most people in published studies recovered ^{1 2}.

Will I go bald after COVID?

Telogen effluvium causes general thinning, not baldness, and usually recovers. If shedding continues beyond six months, see a doctor to check for other causes ³.

Is hair loss a symptom of long COVID?

The NHS lists hair loss among possible long COVID symptoms. See a GP if you have ongoing symptoms ⁴.

Educational content. Not medical advice.