Potential Causes of Hair Loss Including Mono, Nutrient Deficiencies, COVID-19, and Genetics

What is Mono and How Can It Cause Hair Loss?

Mononucleosis, commonly known as mono, is an infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, most commonly saliva which is why it is sometimes called the "kissing disease." Mono causes general symptoms like fatigue, fever, sore throat, and body aches. It can also sometimes lead to spleen enlargement and liver problems. Mono often affects teenagers and young adults.

One of the potential side effects of mono is temporary hair loss. During an active mono infection, patients may experience thinning hair or patchy bald spots. This occurs because high fevers and illnesses like mono place the body under physical stress. The hair growth cycle is disrupted, leading hair follicles to prematurely enter the resting phase and shed more hair than usual. However, once the mono infection clears up and the patient recovers their strength, normal hair regrowth usually resumes within a few months.

Why Illnesses Like Mono Can Trigger Temporary Hair Loss

During an illness like mono, the body directs its energy towards fighting infection rather than non-essential functions like new hair growth. With mono specifically, high spiking fevers are thought to disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. Each hair follicle on the scalp goes through alternating growth (anagen) and resting (telogen) phases. Higher body temperatures may cause more hair to transition from the anagen growth phase prematurely into the telogen resting period, leading to temporary increased shedding about 1-2 months later.

In addition, illnesses can cause scalp inflammation, stress hormone changes, and nutritional deficiencies all factors that can negatively affect normal hair regrowth. With proper rest and recovery, the hair growth cycle will usually return to normal once the bodys resources are no longer diverted towards combating infection.

Tips for Coping with Mono-Related Hair Loss

Here are some tips for dealing with temporary hair shedding after mono or other illnesses:

• Be patient. Significant hair loss from mono may last 1-2 months but normal regrowth usually resumes once the illness has passed. Trust your bodys ability to heal and recover over time.
• Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. Make sure you are getting enough protein, iron, zinc and vitamins once you can tolerate solid foods again. Good nutrition supports healthy hair.
• Gently massage your scalp. This boosts circulation which brings nutrient-rich blood to hair follicles.
• Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. These can help temporarily make thinning hair look fuller.
• Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the scalp.
• Reduce stress and get plenty of rest. Stress can prolong telogen shedding.
• Ask your doctor about biotin supplements. Some find these help strengthen hair.

Be patient with the regrowth process and try to minimize stress during your recovery. With time, your hair should return to its normal thickness. However, contact your doctor if hair loss after mono is severe or persists longer than 2-3 months.

Nutrient Deficiencies Can Disrupt Hair Growth Cycles

Not getting enough key vitamins and minerals in your diet can negatively impact hair health and growth. Nutrient deficiencies throw off the normal hair regrowth cycle and may cause excessive shedding, thinning, or loss of hair volume and shine over time.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron carries oxygen to hair follicle cells which need adequate blood flow to stay healthy. Iron deficiency disrupts that process and is a common cause of hair loss. Women with heavy periods are especially prone to lowered iron stores. Symptoms like fatigue, pale skin, dizziness upon standing can accompany thinning hair from low iron.

Zinc Deficiency

Zinc is involved in cell division and protein synthesis for hair growth. Low dietary zinc intake has been associated with hair loss and dry, brittle hair. Good sources include oysters, meat, eggs, legumes, and seeds.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Some research shows vitamin D may help regulate hair follicle cycling. Lack of sufficient vitamin D has been linked to various types of hair loss. Get your levels tested supplements can help if deficient.

Protein Deficiency

Protein is essential for hair health. Inadequate protein intake causes hair to enter the resting phase prematurely leading to shedding and thinning. Make sure to get sufficient protein from meat, eggs, dairy and plant sources like beans, nuts and lentils.

Biotin Deficiency

Biotin or vitamin B7 aids keratin production which hair is made of. Deficiency is rare but can sometimes occur with excess raw egg consumption. Food sources of biotin include liver, egg yolks, soybeans, fish and dairy.

COVID-19 Can Trigger Temporary Hair Loss

Many people who suffered through COVID-19 infections report increased hair shedding a few months later. With COVID, this delay relates to the hair growth cycle being disrupted. New virus variants continue to emerge, so hair loss remains an unfortunate common long-haul COVID symptom.

Why COVID Causes Hair Loss Months Later

When follicles are pushed prematurely into the resting state by a COVID infection, signs of shedding wont appear until months later when growth normally would resume. It takes time for the disruption to fully manifest. Furthermore, fever, poor nutrition, stress and inflammation during an illness can compound shedding issues.

Managing Post-COVID Hair Loss

Here are some tips for dealing with hair thinning after COVID:

• Get plenty of rest and reduce stress. This helps hair follicles recover.
• Eat a nutritious diet high in protein, iron, zinc and antioxidants to support regrowth.
• Take a multi-vitamin to correct any nutritional deficiencies.
• Use volumizing shampoos and gently massage your scalp to improve circulation.
• Apply over-the-counter minoxidil drops to potentially accelerate regrowth.
• If hair loss persists longer than 6 months, see a dermatologist.

Have patience since post-COVID hair shedding is usually temporary. But be vigilant about any ongoing nutritional or stress-related issues prolonging symptoms. Seek medical advice if excess thinning lasts over 6 months.

Alopecia Areata Causes Patchy Hair Loss

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss. It occurs when the immune system incorrectly attacks hair follicles, halting growth. This can result in round bald patches on the scalp or complete loss of hair on the scalp or body. It affects about 2% of Americans.

What Triggers Alopecia Areata?

Genetics and environmental factors like stress, illness or trauma can trigger an alopecia areata attack. With autoimmunity, the bodys immune cells mistakenly target hair follicles as foreign invaders and block growth. Sometimes imbalance in thyroid, hormones or nutrients like vitamin D or zinc may be involved.

Treatment Options for Alopecia Areata

Treatment aims to suppress the immune attack on follicles. Options may include:

• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Topical immunotherapy creams to desensitize the immune response
• Oral immunosuppressant medications
• Supplements like vitamin D, zinc, biotin
• Stress reduction techniques

Early intervention offers the best chance of reversing hair loss. But episodes may come and go. Support groups can help cope with the psychological impact of patchy or full hair loss.

Hereditary Hair Loss Conditions

Genetic and hormonal factors underlie common hair loss conditions like male and female pattern baldness. These tend to gradually progress over time and can be treated with medications to slow hair loss.

Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness, also

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.