Pandemic Stress Can Cause Hair Loss
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“While stress may be one explanation for this, another possible explanation is that the coronavirus damages blood vessels, which are the lifelines of hair follicles,” Li says.
How Stress Can Cause Hair Loss
The report found that the pandemic was causing a variety of stressors. At the time, more than seven in 10 parents said managing distance and remote learning for their children is a significant source of stress, and 70% of respondents reported that stress related to work and the economy had increased. The government’s response to the pandemic has caused stress in 67% of people. Pandemic-related stress has also had a disproportionate impact on communities of color.
In general, stress is known to cause hair loss, and it does so in a few ways.
Another explanation? A stress hormone released by the brain known as ACTH stimulates the body’s adrenal glands to release cortisol as part of the fight or flight response that has been hardwired into humans since prehistoric times, Li explains.
“Studies have shown both ACTH and cortisol can trigger hair follicles to go into a self-destruct mode called apoptosis,” he says.
Stress can also trigger an autoimmune reaction against hair follicles, Li says. This condition is called alopecia areata and can result in patches of hair loss.
Additionally, stress can cause an emotional reaction similar to an obsessive-compulsive disorder called trichotillomania, Li says, where people irresistibly pull their hair out.
How To Prevent Stress-Related Hair Loss
You may have noticed hair loss if more hair than usual is coming out as you brush your hair. Some other telltale signs to look for are unusual amounts of hair in the shower drain, areas of thinning hair with visible scalp or bald patches, Li says.
Lowering your stress level is the best way to protect against stress-related hair loss, Li says.
“Techniques like meditation, exercise, and counseling can be helpful for stress management,” he says. “Anti-anxiety medications can also sometimes be helpful.”
Have you noticed any unusual hair loss amid the pandemic?
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