Actress Alyssa Milano has shown the amount of hair she has lost as a result of Covid-19. Instagram / Alyssa Milano
Actress Alyssa Milano has shown the amount of hair she has lost as a result of Covid-19. Instagram / Alyssa Milano
Actress Alyssa Milano has shown the amount of hair she has lost as a result of Covid-19. Instagram / Alyssa Milano
Actress Alyssa Milano has shown the amount of hair she has lost as a result of Covid-19. Instagram / Alyssa Milano

Is hair loss a symptom of Covid-19? Doctors explain why Alyssa Milano's hair is falling out


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

Actress and activist Alyssa Milano has gone public with her coronavirus battle, revealing this week that she was sick with Covid-19 in April.

In a follow-up post on social media, she told fans that four months on, she is experiencing a large amount of hair loss.

Essentially, it is temporary hair loss from excessive shedding due to a shock to the system

"I just wanted to show you the amount of hair that is coming out of my head, as a result of Covid," she says in the video, before combing her wet hair with a detangling brush.

After three strokes, she holds it to the camera to show a sizeable clump of hair. She then continues brushing for about a minute, before holding up another a large ball of hair.

"One brushing," she says. "This is my hair loss from Covid-19. Wear a damn mask."

Is hair loss a symptom or side effect of Covid-19?

The primary symptoms of Covid-19 are well-documented – a dry cough, fever, tiredness. However, there are less common symptoms, such as aches and pains, a sore throat, a rash, diarrhoea and the loss of taste or smell. So, is hair loss another less common symptom?

"Hair loss is not a symptom of Covid-19," Dr Rekha Santosh, dermatology specialist at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, tells The National.

"However, some patients experience excessive hair fall a few weeks after being infected with Covid-19. This is called telogen effluvium, which can be triggered by any severe illness and also medication used during the treatment of Covid-19. However, this hair loss is temporary and resolves itself."

This explanation is echoed by Dr Osman El-Labban, head of the department of family medicine at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, who has seen reports of patients experiencing hair loss after suffering from the coronavirus.

"Although the list of Covid-19 symptoms from the US [Centres for Disease Control and Prevention] does not include hair loss, we are seeing an increasing number of reports denoting that patients who had Covid-19 two to three months ago are now experiencing hair loss," he tells The National.

"The phenomenon is telogen effluvium, non-scarring hair loss that is the result of an abnormal shift in follicular cycling ... more hairs are going into the resting phase, resulting in more hair falling out, particularly from the top of the scalp."

Dr El-Labban assures patients that this is not uncommon, and in fact is seen "a fair amount".

He explains that "essentially, it is temporary hair loss from excessive shedding due to a shock to the system. There are several common triggers, such as surgery, major physical or psychological trauma, any kind of infection or high fever, extreme weight loss or a change in diet. Hormonal changes, such as postpartum or menopause, can also be a cause."

Alyssa Milano's experience of the coronavirus

The actress waited until this week to reveal that she had contracted the coronavirus earlier this year, and says she had "basically every Covid-19 symptom".

On August 6, she shared a photo of herself on Instagram that was taken in April, in which she's wearing a home ventilator. The accompanying caption reads: "This was me on April 2 after being sick for two weeks. I had never been this kind of sick. Everything hurt. Loss of smell. It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't keep food in me. I lost nine pounds in two weeks. I was confused. Low-grade fever. And the headaches were horrible. I basically had every Covid-19 symptom."

She went on to say that she had concerns about the testing system in the US, as she took two Covid-19 tests in March, "and both were negative". She also took an antibody test, for which she was given a negative result.

I thought I was dying ... I don't want anyone to feel the way I felt

"After living the last four months with lingering symptoms like vertigo, stomach abnormalities, irregular periods, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, zero short-term memory and general malaise, I went and got an antibody test from a blood draw (not the finger prick) from a lab," she said, "and I am positive for Covid antibodies. I had Covid-19."

The actress said she aims to draw attention to the importance of social distancing and wearing a mask. "I just want you to be aware that our testing system is flawed and we don't know the real numbers. I also want you to know, this illness is not a hoax. I thought I was dying ... I will be donating my plasma with hopes that I might save a life. Please take care of yourselves. Please wash your hands and wear a mask and social distance. I don't want anyone to feel the way I felt."

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

if you go

The flights 

Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning. 

The trains

Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.

The hotels

Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.

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The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.

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Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

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Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Fresh faces in UAE side

Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.

Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.

Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.

Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.

Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.

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Results:

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4.           Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63

5.           Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74

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New process leads to panic among jobseekers

As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.  

“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.

Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE. 

“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.

“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”