tive and mental health problems too, with recovered patients reporting symptoms including “brain fog” (slow or sluggish thinking) and problems with recalling words months after infection. Studies report brain fog issues both in people who were hospitalized with COVID and those who were not. A January study published by a researchers based in Germany suggests that even patients who don’t notice signs of their own cognitive impairment can have problems with memory and attention after recovering from a mild case of COVID-19.
Temporary Hair Loss
Nearly everyone’s locks become less luscious over time. The rate of hair growth slows with age, and strands become smaller and have less pigment. A whopping 55 percent of women experience some hair loss by the age of 70. But a COVID infection can cause hair loss as well, a phenomenon known as telogen effluvium. When a person experiences an event like a viral infection, hospitalization, or even significant emotional stress, their body can prematurely shift a greater than normal proportion of growing anagen hairs into a resting telogen state.
The good news? The majority of these cases clear up in three to six months. Telogen effluvium does not cause a person to lose their hair follicles, though hair may not temporarily grow. However, in less than 10 percent of cases, patients can develop chronic telogen effluvium, where excessive hair shedding persists beyond six months.
The simplest way to evade these symptoms is to avoid catching COVID in the first place. To improve your chances of doing so, scientists recommend wearing a mask in public places. Hopefully, this guide helps you to identify and address possible post-COVID side effects if you do get infected — and as always, if you believe you’re experiencing these symptoms, consult with your doctor!