post ICU body

[Heretotellthetale_]

hello all, I am new here having just discovered you all. As my bio says I was critically ill in December and January. I am recovering really well but gosh I have lost so much hair, I know it’s really common but it’s so tricky to navigate, having survived everything it seems insignificant to worry about hair, but I do! I had very fine thin hair to start with but now have so little. I am at the hairdressers next week and don’t know what to do. I usually have a semi all over plus highlights, I know I need to wait for my hairdressers advice but I wondered what other people’s experiences have been? Also what supplements do you take for hair loss? Many thanks

[Sepsur]

telagon Effluvium is a common legacy of ICU. Eat well, sleep well, vitamin & mineral deficiency after critical illness plays a part - it will grow back - might change texture & colour too. Wash your hair, brush your hair - it will all stimulate growth - maybe look at biotin rich shampoo.

[Heretotellthetale_ in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you! I’ve bought pretty much every hair product with biotin in that I could find!

[Sepsur in reply to Heretotellthetale_]

😅 - I can’t remember which vitamins & minerals are good too - is it zinc or vitamin K? - your docs will be able to advise

[downthemoor]

Your hairdresser will advise...they have seen people after chemo so will be used to it...I was very traumatised but had it cut short . Looking back, It wasn't that long growing back but has returned very thick and growing totally different from my old hair! It's something they should def warm you about though as I was so upset by it falling out!

[Heretotellthetale_ in reply to downthemoor]

Thank you!

[Avery24]

hello, I’m the same it’s awful, I get married in May this year too and my hair is awfully thin. I’ve had my iron checked and that was low which I believe can contribute to hair loss so would be worth maybe getting that checked out too. I’m on multivitamins and tried allsorts of different shampoos but I’m at a loss as to anything working. I hope your hairdresser can offer some better advice xx

[Heretotellthetale_ in reply to Avery24]

Thank you for your reply! You’re not the first to suggest getting my iron level checked however, in my case I’m still having monthly bloods following ICU, so I know mine is good. I am taking a biotin supplement and have bought all new hair products that have biotin in. Someone else mentioned stimulating the scalp so while I have an intense biotin mask on I use a scalp massager, it’s actually very nice!!

[Fingerlickinggood in reply to Avery24]

I had this problem last year used planter 69!didn’t think it was working then as hair started to grow i lost about 50% over all my head doc a sign that my body was repairing

However you could see half was short and rest longer so i had it cut short now it’s thicker and all same length I don’t really like so short but it feels better

[BigH63]

Hi. I agree with everyone above. My hair also fell out no massively mostly at the crown but down to a level that worried a 1 yr on and it’s grown back again different texture and the way it lays and I had really thick hair, I was horrified at the thought of it not growing back. But in the scheme of things it was the least of my worries in getting better after ICU.

Nutrients are especially important after ICU eating healthy and looking after yourself generally. I would say what ever makes you happy go for it, cut short or just a tidy up it really doesn’t matter as long as you happy. I waited six month before going to the barbers and had a complete restyle.

It’s a long haul is rehabilitation but every little step is a milestone.

Good luck.

BigH

[Myfanwy58]

From having a mass of thick almost waist length hair , I ended up over a period of weeks having approx 50% less hair and noticeable scattered bald patches. It was devastating, particularly as I’d not been at all prepared for this. The loss began just a few short weeks after discharge from ICU where I’d been in a medically induced coma, ventilated and on life support for 3 weeks or so. My hair began thinning and then coming out in considerable clumps. It even changed texture in a remarkable way ie once water was applied it would immediately contort into a mass of tangled wire-like clumps and was impossible to untangle. I tried. My hair stylist tried. Just not possible, so clumps had to be cut out with scissors This hair change/loss was such a horrid thing to go through, particularly so after having come through so much trauma. My husband, a medical dr, advised that it was likely ‘telagon effluvien’, a recognised and usually temporary hair condition following severe illness, ICU stays and the like and that in time the loss would slow down and then stop. I waited approx 18months for this to materialise. Although the loss stopped, the texture of new hair growth was rather strange for at least another year or so. Wiry, static like, fine hair all over. Nothing could smooth it down, not even the most luxurious hair products. It took a long time for my hair to revert to its previous texture and condition, but it did and for that I’m so very grateful. Just a little Addit…I also consulted my GP so as to discuss appropriateness of possible blood tests for eg folic acid, B12, iron deficiencies, thyroid function etc so as to rule out any other possible contributing factors. All blood results were fine. You might like to discuss your condition with your GP too. Wishing you well🌷

Hair loss post ICU/Covid

[Sleepalotmore]

Hi, I know exactly where you are coming from! I was in icu December to February 2019/20. Also on ECMO . When I left hospital my hair was coming out in handfuls. I seemed to leave a trail wherever I'd been!!4 years on and it's not improved much. I also gad fine hair to start with but now it's still a lot thiner but also feels softer and fragile. My hairdresser has been putting in a few highlights but he's very wary about it

[Delanio]

Hi!

I know it’s the most *annoying* advice, but you’re so fresh out of your critical illness you need to give your body time. I know it’s frustrating to hear, but I came out of my coma last January and I truly believed I’d never walk properly or drive again. But now I’m driving to work 5 days a week, working full time, working out 3 days a week and walking 56000 steps plus a week.

In terms of hair, was coming to the end of chemo when I went into respiratory failure and into my coma. When I came off the vent and became conscious I had no hair, probably mostly due to chemo but I imagine also critical illness. But slowly at first, then like wildfire it’s grown. I would say it was around 4/5 after the most growth really kicked in. So please give your body time. I also used Nioxin 3 step treatments for hair loss and I think it really boosted it.

Please be patient and kind to yourself.

If you have any questions please reach out x