The coronavirus has had distressing effects on patients and those watching the pandemic unfold alike. Manifesting in different ways for different people one common side effect we are hearing is hair loss.
Dermatologists are getting calls for appointments as people find clumps of hair on pillows and hair falling in the shower. Some people have even admitted to their doctors they fear to brush their hair or showering because of the intense fallout they see with each wash or brush.
Doctors have shared how this can affect patients causing even more stress. As the body deals with physical and emotional stress the nutrients it uses for hair production and the growth phase is shifted to other parts of the body. The result is hair fall.
Now stress shedding typically has a bit of lag time, for instance, seasonal shedding that occurs in the spring is often linked to a stressful holiday season. This makes sense as we link the beginning of the pandemic to now, a few months later, (typically stress shedding occurs about 3 months after the incident as the hair moves through the cycle).
As we see an uptick in the amount of intense shedding happening it is a clear link to the start of the coronavirus pandemic. To sum it up, we are stressed and our hair is stressed out too.
It should be noted that in addition to stress shedding many people have been isolating at home for some time. This has been problematic for some and led to snacking or the consumption of more processed foods. A healthy diet is also important when we look at ways to support the hair and growth and coupled with stress the fall out could be even more severe.
Stress shedding on top of Postpartum Hair Loss
This increase in hair loss is especially devastating for women who are already experiencing the hormonal postpartum hair shedding. While insight is just coming out, doctors are expressing the amount of hair their patients are showing them is more substantial than typical postpartum shedding and hair fall.
Many are expressing births in the time of Covid-19 have been more stressful overall. Questions like, "will my partner be able to be in the room with me?." Requirements women wear a mask through delivery. Fear over being in a hospital during a pandemic, and what vulnerabilities that leads to are prevalent. Not being able to have family and loved ones rallying around when the newborn comes home, are all notable reasons that the birth process has been more difficult. These difficulties have led to more stress surrounding the delivery and postpartum period.
Couple that with other children at home who have not been participating in typical daily activities be it an outdoor activity or play with friends, and it's not surprising that more intense hair fall is occurring during the postpartum timeframe.
So what can you do?
The best advice is to limit your stress. However, reading that back during this pandemic it seems like impossible advice. Many are isolating at home with young children, others are experiencing isolation and uncertainty. Still more are considered essential but are worried about their families and themselves. Not to mention current financial strains.
Do what you can. Do something each day to take a breath even for a moment. Look at your nutrition, especially if you are experiencing intense hair fall do something to support your hair.
Take Hair Vitamins to Strengthen Your Roots
Eat your vitamins, or consider a supplement. Our Baby Blues hair loss vitamin was made to support hair when it needs nutrients restored, and although you may not be considered postpartum this vitamin is maximum strength and packed with vitamins and minerals solely in place to support hair growth. Hopefully, you can find a way to destress for a moment. A yoga stretch, a cup of coffee alone, something.
