Anyone else having hair loss and a sore scalp that feels bruised?

Posted by shario @shario, Jul 6 1:19pm

I have many of the typical LC symptoms-- PEM, fatigue, brain fog, body pain, memory loss etc. and have been dealing with this for 15 months. One of the most bothersome lately is a sore scalp and hair loss. Anyone else? I assume it is another result of inflamation. Seems like it has gotten worse lately and my thinning hair is worrisome.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

celia16 | @celia16 | Jul 6 2:08pm

Yes, I have had most of those symptoms ( no brain fog or fatigue) but here’s the kick. I had intermittent sore scalp ( Just the top of scalp) for many years. It felt like a bruise. No explanation of why. But no hair loss. Hair was great. I also had those sore places throughout my body, mainly legs and arms. I sought treatment for this for years….this was before covid.

Fast forward to after covid in late 2023. Muscle pain increased, twitches, loss of smell, phantom smell, metallic taste, congestion, excessive hair shedding began. Most of my symptoms subsided since then but a couple remain, I’m aggressively treating them.

mountainmarge | @mountainmarge | Jul 6 6:29pm

No, but I'm having some crazy dandruff. Do your eyes burn too.

truwomandi | @truwomandi | Jul 6 8:10pm

yes, itchy scaly scalp

shelmadine | @shelmadine | Jul 10 7:23pm

In reply to @truwomandi "yes, itchy scaly scalp" + (show)

@truwomandi

vostie | @vostie | Jul 11 10:59am

It is our good friend...the covid induced hyper inflammation! Sore scalp is a documented symptom of Long COVID and is known as trichodynia. Doc says the hyperinflammatory state triggers both excessive shedding and painful sensations in the scalp. Gabapentin has helped minimize the pain for me.

jnatalo | @jnatalo | Jul 11 4:26pm

I’ve had some periods of hair loss here and there which seem to coincide with a spike in severity of symptoms. I’ve always had mysterious sore scalp at times which got intensely worse post covid but for me it only comes on when migraine does. Apparently I’ve always been a migrainer, but they exploded in severity starting when I got Covid in March of 2020

mountainmarge | @mountainmarge | 1 day ago

This can also be attributed to malnutrition. I had severe dandruff, many other symptoms, and found they all point to malnutrition. COVID kils all the good bacteria in your gut, making it impossible to get the good nutrients from food you eat. I started eating wild edibles for the good bacteria they contain, but there are probiotics you can buy. After nine months of that, I am finally feeling better. Normal.

momac59 | @momac59 | 1 day ago

Having autoimmune diseases most of my adult life, when I got Covid & ended up in hospital in January 2021, then again in January 2022, that & a reaction to the Moderna vaccine really pushed me over the edge into long COVID. Many symptoms similar to flares with my Autoimmune diseases which probably can be attributed to inflammation??
I’ve always had scalp tenderness with my flares & hair loss. Covid was the same. But fast forward to past April where I got sick & had those plus new, intense symptoms as well. The scalp tenderness got so bad I couldn’t brush my hair or lay down my head without pain. I ended up at Mayo Clinic ER where they admitted me for 2 weeks with a new diagnosis; GCA - Giant Cell Arteritis, an autoimmune disease that is a type of Vasculitis. The arteries in my head were inflamed. The danger is strokes & loss of vision. My one eye is affected but after much high dose steroids & now on a biologic I’m doing much better.
I’m not trying to give you another scary health thing to worry about but just something to be aware of. A good Rheumatologist can help if long COVID inflammation gets worse. Hope this is helpful.