Hair loss following hospitalization?

[niskislp]

I (25,F) used to have extremely thick, healthy hair. Fast forward: I was diagnosed with an abscess and sepsis in December. In April, I was diagnosed with COVID, bilateral pneumonia, and sepsis leading to a week-long hospitalization. I’m not sure when the hair loss officially began, but… a week after hospitalization, I noticed my hair was dying, thinning, and falling out. It has thinned/fallen out all over and has even slightly affected my hairline. Both long and short hairs are falling out. It has been about 3 months now. There has been intermittent scalp pain along the way. My wax girl also said my eyebrows look like they may have thinned since the hospitalization. Overall, does this sound like a specific type of hair loss to anyone? (Telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, FFA, etc)?
Thank you so much in advance!

 

[loui]

I (25,F) used to have extremely thick, healthy hair. Fast forward: I was diagnosed with an abscess and sepsis in December. In April, I was diagnosed with COVID, bilateral pneumonia, and sepsis leading to a week-long hospitalization. I’m not sure when the hair loss officially began, but… a week after hospitalization, I noticed my hair was dying, thinning, and falling out. It has thinned/fallen out all over and has even slightly affected my hairline. Both long and short hairs are falling out. It has been about 3 months now. There has been intermittent scalp pain along the way. My wax girl also said my eyebrows look like they may have thinned since the hospitalization. Overall, does this sound like a specific type of hair loss to anyone? (Telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, FFA, etc)?
Thank you so much in advance!

I would think it is most likely a temporary shed, if it is you will begin seeing it start growing again in 1-3 months since you say this happened 3 months ago.

 

[NZK Medical]

Hello @niskislp, if alopecia areata this results in small circular patches of hair loss. It is indiscriminate with respect to where it can occur. Even over the general body. It is normally easy to identify due to the circular style patches of hair loss. From what you have described it does not sound this is the case. Telogen effluvium on the other hand could be a cause. It can be random over the scalp with no specific areas affected. As a result, you keep your hair coverage but can lose fullness and hair quality. It affects the hair growth cycle and this could also be why you are experiencing the shedding of long and stunted hair shafts.

You could visit your doctor and have blood tests, hormones, thyroid for instance, also iron, we can give a fuller list, but your doctor will be aware. Also, discuss a hair loss treatment such as minoxidil 2%, or Regain for women. If telogen effluvium, does normally start to calm down after a few months, it is possible your hair will start to regain its fullness and the shedding cycle will start to return to normal. Seeking a professional opinion would be advised and hopefully can relieve some of the stress related to the problem. Good luck.

 

[mania]

I think it is very good that know about the hair loss hospitalization..