Covid Hair Loss

I am blessed to have a lot of hair. It’s coarse and thick. My hair dresser swears it grows while she’s cutting it. It has always been healthy and recently, I have been letting it grow long. Next to my health, my hair is one of my favorite gifts from God.

I had a mild case of Covid back in July. I say “mild” because I was only sick and feverish one day.

It is now October and my hair is falling out!

When I mention it to other ladies around my age, they will say “oh yea, my hair sheds too”, or “It’s just hormones”. No. This is different. 

Now I’m gonna get a little personal here:

(not for the squeamish)

My hair actually comes out in handfuls in the shower. I can see and feel strands of hair running down my body as I rinse through my hair. It’s gross! It will just continue coming out util I finally just stop touching it and get out and wrap it in a towel for a few minutes. After I blow dry my hair, I will have to clean up another handful of hair off the bathroom floor. It’s devastating and leaves me in tears. This has gone on now for at least 4 weeks. I first thought it was from wearing hair ties so I started using hair sticks or claw clips to hold my hair back. 

If I were to measure wads of hair I lose each shower or brushing, I think it would be a cup full when normally I lose maybe a tablespoon amount. 

Just running my fingers through my hair in the shower, this is what I get each time. 

(Told ya it was gross) The bathhouse shower at the beach adds a special touch haha.

And this is more.. This is a photo after one shower. This has gone on for weeks.

Imagine losing this much every day. It freaks me out. 

 

This phenomenon is called “telogen effluvium”. 

I am afraid I will start seeing baldness if this continues. I think I have already lost 30% of my hair. I would almost say 50% but I will let my hairdresser determine the percentage when I go see her again at the end of the week. I may not have any other choice but to cut my hair to a shorter length just so it will look more evened out and fuller. 

I read that this can continue for a month or three months. I may need to go wig shopping. Seriously, This is scary! 

What am I doing about it? Well other than just letting it run its course, I have purchased some Pumpkin Seed Oil for hair growth. Crossing my fingers it works. I read on a hair loss group I follow, that this is a really good supplement to take and also has other health benefits. 

I also purchased a scalp massager to promote a healthy scalp and help with hair growth as well. 

I need all your prayers that this will end soon. My hair feels so thin now and do not know how much more I can take. Luckily, I have thick hair and still have a lot to lose. 

Have you or do you know someone who is suffering the same condition? 

(Note: I can’t blame it on the vaccine because I have never been vaccinated and never plan to). 

This condition is attacking those who have and haven’t been vaccinated all the same.