Figured out the reason for my hair breakage
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (120152)
United States
November 13, 2021 5:06pm CST
I was very sick in the spring and spent 2 separate weeks in the hospital. (thank goodness for good medical insurance) I noticed that my hair started thinning over the summer. There were like tumbleweeds of it that I had to keep vacuuming up. I did some research at the University of Google and it said that telogen effluvium (shedding hair) isn't uncommon after major medical issues. Fine.
I was at my parents' house last month and my mom was all "stop coloring your hair. It isn't tolerating it well." I told her that I was perfectly capable of seeing my reflection in the mirror. She was very sick before I was born and admitted that she lost hair too. She then pointed out all of the hair breakage around my ears. I had no answer for that. . .
. . . until a couple of days ago. I was at work and putting on my cloth mask when the lightbulb went off. The breakage was from putting on and taking off my mask throughout the day for 2 and a half months. Students, teachers, and other staff in New Jersey are required to wear masks all day while in the building unless they are eating.
I've taken more care to be gentle when dealing with the mask and to deeply condition my hair but there is no way to avoid putting it on and taking it off throughout the day. I take it off during my free period and during my lunch. I am alone in my classroom during those times.
8 people like this
6 responses
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
13 Nov 21
my sister has that same hair problem. Her hair dresser told my sister that she had covid hair. My sister had had what she thought was a light case of flu but her hairdressers said she knew covid hair when she saw it. I have no idea if she actually had covid but I thought it was a possibility.
4 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
14 Nov 21
Some people had a lighter case of Covid, but never got tested or hospitalized.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
14 Nov 21
@kobesbuddy I actually think I had covid But having it doesn’t protect you from getting it again.
1 person likes this
@florelway (23286)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
15 Nov 21
I really think it's a side effect of covid.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
13 Nov 21
My doctor told me that a protein deficiency will cause a person's hair to thin out. This happened to me, years back. If I don't include meat, eggs or fish every single day, my hair starts breaking off again.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
13 Nov 21
@NJChicaa I've been doing the same thing and I'm not losing as much hair, like before. When I washed it, the bathtub was covered with broken hairs!
1 person likes this
@florelway (23286)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
14 Nov 21
Thanks for this info. I will monitor my protein intake
2 people like this
@kaylachan (71815)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Nov 21
Is there a way to pin the hair back around your ears? That way the mask won't continue to damage your hair.
@LindaOHio (181821)
• United States
14 Nov 21
Being more careful should do the trick.
2 people like this
@florelway (23286)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
14 Nov 21
I am having the same issue now. I was infected with Covid last July and this could be some side effects. I made a homemade virgin coconut oil and Dab my scalp using cotton buds. I also apply aloe vera on my scalp.