In this Friday’s (7) edition of the Medical Correspondent chart, of Novo Dia, cardiologist Stephanie Rizk addressed cases of hair loss in patients after contracting Covid-19. The condition has been investigated as one of the possible sequelae of the disease.
According to an international survey by doctors in the United States, Mexico and Sweden, one in four people with the disease suffer from hair loss. Stress and fear are factors that can increase your risk in these situations.
In an interview with CNN, medical specialist in hair health Luciana Passoni gave tips on how to prevent hair loss. “Foods rich in zinc, selenium and vitamin B12, as well as iron, favor that hair follicle to hold the strand of hair. Vitamin D is also essential to keep the hair in the scalp for the right time”, he said.
According to Stephanie Rizk, the causes of hair loss can vary – and, in the case of Covid, it can happen even in not-so-severe cases of the disease, having been registered in mild and moderate patients. The cardiologist also classified anemia, nutrient and mineral deficiencies, the postpartum period, and hormonal and chemical changes as risk factors.
“Covid-19 is an infection that causes inflammation. It gives many ‘ites’, like vasculitis. If we remember that all vessels become inflamed, including the vessels that nourish the scalp, this eventually generates an inflammation of the follicle, folliculitis, which predisposes to hair loss.”
Rizk associated stress and fear as important points in the evolution of the condition, especially during the pandemic. “It’s what we are living. The patient takes Covid-19 and gets super stressed, super anxious”, he said.
Known as “telogen effluvium”, the disorder speeds up the hair cycle and leads to hair loss more quickly. The effect is usually more noticeable in women, who have longer hair.
The doctor also spoke of a popular belief that changing seasons is conducive to hair loss. For the cardiologist, however, the trend at the moment is that the reduction of hairs is caused more by Covid-19. “The ideal is, if the fall is too much, look for a professional. The trend is that after passing this cycle [da Covid-19], the follicle cycle returns to normal”, he explained.
Nutrient-rich foods such as nuts, eggs, fish and berries were some of those highlighted by Stephanie Rizk to avoid the condition. “I say that we have to peel more and unpack less. We have to avoid industrialized products and go to the fair, because that’s where we’ll find health.”
There are several treatment possibilities for this type of symptom, according to Rizk. Among them are the use of multivitamins, hair lotion and laser action. The most suitable professional for consultation is the dermatologist.
The use of “miracle bullets”, however, was discouraged by the doctor. “I don’t know what’s in that candy. Miracles do not exist in these things, we will always believe in science”, he concluded.
Reference: CNN Brasil
