I think that we can all say, without any doubt, that COVID-19 has caused many of us some significant stress over last year, but to what extent? Stress has been affecting our mental health and our physical health. A common issue people see in their day-to-day life is stress-related hair loss.

What is stress-related hair loss?

Telogen Effluvium

There are three different types of hair loss associated with stress. The first is Telogen Effluvium, which forces a significant amount of hair into a resting phase, making it easier to fall out. People notice this while washing, combing, or styling their hair. Another type would be Trichotillomania, a mental disorder caused by stress that creates an uncontrollable urge to pull out one’s hair on their scalp or anywhere else on their body. The last type of stress-related hair loss would be Alopecia areata, stress is not the only cause of this disorder, but it is a significant factor. Alopecia areata happens when “the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles-causing hair loss” (Hall-Flavin Mayo Clinic).

How does hair loss correlate to the pandemic?

COVID-19

COVID-19 is causing major stress to everyone, not just those who have been directly affected by the virus. According to the American Psychological Association, 76% of Americans say the pandemic is a major cause of their stress. Many factors contribute to COVID-19 related stress, such as the loss of jobs, working from home, social isolation, fear of catching the virus, money problems, and so much more. Even if you are now working from home, at the office, or out of a job, the pandemic has significantly changed our day-to-day lives, resulting in stress.

The most common type of hair loss people are experiencing due to the pandemic is Telogen Effluvium, and it’s even more common than you think. So many families are stuck working from home while also helping their children through school; just having kids and a job is a cause of stress, but now having to do it all at once makes it even more stressful.

How to combat it?

There is a positive side to all of this; telogen Effluvium is temporary in some cases. Once the stress of the pandemic dies down, your hair should regrow, and the hair loss will cease. But how do we calm our stress even during the pandemic? Stress is entirely out of our control, we never know when our stressors will happen, but there are ways to cope. The CDC has a few recommendations on managing; eating a regular balanced diet effectively combat this stress-related hair loss. Eggs, spinach, berries, avocados, and nuts are just some easy foods to incorporate into your diet to not only help you with having a balanced diet but are proven to help initiate hair growth. According to the CDC, other helpful things to reduce stress are exercise, meditation, lots of sleep, and reducing excessive tobacco and alcohol use.

Although stress-related hair loss may cause even more stress, it’s important to remember that your hair might grow back if you get your stress under control.