Hair Loss/Burning Itching Scalp after Covid

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.

@vostie Thank you! Somehow, just knowing I am not the only one makes it easier to deal with. Putting names with the symptoms gives me a place to start researching and that helps too. I left my NP not long ago because she failed or refused to acnowledge my symptoms were related to C19. I am thinking to make an appointment with a dermatologist to see if I can get help there.

The many symptoms of LC are baffling and strange. I have had LC now for 9 months and I, too, have had the hair loss and head/scalp tenderness and then identified that it is yet another LC symptom. Luckily, I had a thick head of hair somehow at age 85 so I am not bald yet and I have to hope that it is temporary and will improve. The scalp itching and tenderness has gone away and I am hoping the hair will grow back as other symptoms have improved. My Dr. is most encouraging that I will get better and I can see slow improvement in other symptoms like the fatigue, brain fog and dizziness and PEM which were constant and are now not as intense and not every day. I appreciate the support of this group as most people have no idea how difficult and debilitating LC can be plus the medical folks who deny it exists.

I have had hair loss since my post covid syndrome diagnosis. Also had loss of smell, phantom smell and taste disorder. I’m still seeing a dermatologist for my hair loss and taking meds. It’s quite distressing.

UPDATE: I woke up at 4:00 this morning with my head on fire with the burning and itching. It was horrible! A couple of days ago, I received a new shampoo I ordered that is supposed to help folks with hair/scalp issues like mine, so I got up and immediately went to the kitchen to wash my hair with it. As soon as I started to massage the shampoo into my hair as directed, the pain and itching stopped! The relief was like heaven. The tender/bruised scalp feeling also disappeared. I don't yet know if it will help my hair to regrow, but to be free of the itching, burning and tender scalp is close to a miracle.

For anyone interested, it is called "Folliculitis Shampoo" extra strength, made by Pharmbanner, dermatologist and clinically tested, the reviews were great. It is meant to treat Folliculitis, Dandruff, Psoriasis, Dermatitis and Itchy Scalp. I got it online at Amazon for $24 and free shipping. They also make and sell a coordinating conditioner, but I didn't order that. My hair and scalp feels nice and smells nice without any additional products. I hope this information will help someone else. ❤

@shario I agree that this group has been a true blessing for me. The folks here may get tired of seeing my name pop up with questions and comments since I have no one else to talk to about these symptoms. I also have had a great head of hair all my life and still did have until the LC hit me. I am so happy to hear your symptoms are diminishing. I keep hoping and expecting mine to improve at some point too.

Please read my "update" here if you still need help with the scalp issues.

@celia16 Please be sure to read my "update" on the new shampoo I got and go to Amazon and read the reviews. You might speak with your dermatologist to see if he/she recommends trying it. Best of luck to you!

@shelleyr , I appreciate the referral and will check it out. I’ve been under dermatologist’s care since 2023. It’s my understanding that hair loss or excessive shedding is really about what’s going on under the skin. A recent biopsy is unclear as to the cause of mine. I do use prescription Clobetasol foam for inflammation. I will be starting another prescription med soon. It’s very stressful. I’ll try anything that helps.

@celia16 I mentioned the new shampoo because it is supposed to clear away any dead or affected skin cells on the scalp to clear the hair follicles and allow the regrowth of hair. I know if I go a day or two without shampooing, my scalp forms a layer of what appears to be dandruff....which I've never had before in 70 years. So I am thinking this layer of "crud" might be causing the clogging of my hair follicles....leading to the shedding.
I don't know how much your current prescription foam costs, but it may be worth trying to see if it helps your scalp and hair growth. I am now 12 hours in since my first shampoo this morning and my scalp still feels good. No pain, no itching and no tenderness. Blessings and good luck!

Often suefish Happens A LOT!!