Hair loss associated with long COVID is a recognized phenomenon, often manifesting as telogen effluvium—a temporary condition where physical or emotional stress pushes hair follicles into a resting phase, leading to increased shedding. For me, it occurs over again when I do not pace myself for several days or get under increased stress...like getting the flu.

Your scalp pain (which I do not have) may be linked to underlying conditions such as occipital neuralgia, an inflammation of the nerves running from the spine to the scalp, which some patients have developed following a COVID-19 infection. Talk to your doc to see if Botox injections or a nerve block might help...or a nerve pain medication.