Hair Loss after Dengue Fever
By: Bushra Kafeel, Onlymyhealth editorial team
Dengue fever is an infectious tropical disease that is caused by one of the four serotypes of dengue virus. According to Dermatologists most people can experience hair fall (alopecia) after dengue fever. Even though in most of the cases hair loss is reported as one of the common after effects of dengue fever but it is also seen as an indicative symptom of dengue fever. It is also evident along with other symptoms of dengue fever such as fever, headaches, body pain, flushed skin, peeling of skin, itching, skin rashes, vomiting and extreme fatigue to name a few.
Experts suggest that people who have recovered from dengue fever often complain about increased shedding of hair. Some can even develop a condition called telogen effluvium (or alopecia) which is characteristerised by massive hair loss. A person with dengue fever can develop alopecia either due to the metabolic or hormonal stress during disease course. Even the medications that are given for the treatment of dengue fever can lead to this condition. Telogen has adverse effect body hair but loss of scalp hair is common after someone recovers from dengue or post recovery too.
When a person is under stress (for about duration of six months) the chances of developing alopecia increase. Dengue fever is one of the causes of tellogen effluvium. In most of the cases of tellogen effluvium recovery is spontaneous.
Though all possible measures have been taken to ensure accuracy, reliability, timeliness and authenticity of the information; Onlymyhealth assumes no liability for the same. Using any information of this website is at the viewers’ risk.
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- Kate (08 May 2012)I came back from Bali in January with dengue fever. I never got the rash but had all of the other symptoms and my liver was really effected. I too have started to lose ridiculous amounts of hair but my doctors do not believe dengue fever can cause this.. How did you all find out it was related?? I'm meant to have an appointment to see a dermatologist but am wondering whether it not to bother. What's the longest people have lost there hair for, sorry do many questions!!
- Heather (01 May 2012)I got dengue in Colombia, about 3 months later I started losing a ton of hair. It was falling out for at least 6 weeks. It has since grown back but it was very scary. I was lucky enough not to peel or get a rash but the bone pain, fever and nausea was unbareable. I'm 100% now except at 30 I have developed eczema, not sure if it's connected but definitely strange.
- Therese (30 Apr 2012)caught Dengue in Thailand in Jan 2012. had all the symptoms described and have major hair loss. My dermatologist suggested a product called Rogaine. She prescribed it for one year.She said that all my hair will grow again but it will still fall for another 2 to 3 months because the dengue is a severe virus she explained that the syncronisation of hair grow and hair loss is completely out of sync. Patience is what it takes.I started to run again, not at the same speed but i am getting better.
- Ivin (27 Apr 2012)I am suffering with dengue now. My palms and feet feel very itchy, it makes me can't sleep for a whole night. And I read the comments here, people said that will be hair fall after recover from dengue? I am very scared about hair loss and I'm having my final exam next week, what should I do? :(
- candice (21 Apr 2012)had dengue in jan 21012 and sole and palm peeling stopped by the end of 2nd month of recovery- so don't worry guys, there is al light at the end of that tunnel! hair now falling out a lot more than when in my 1st month of recovery. hoping this stops soon as my hair is growing thinner by the day, every time i put my hand through my hair, a handfull of hair falls out. not good at all
- Jo-Anne (17 Apr 2012)I'm on my third bout of the flu since having dengue in November 2011....Immune system wrecked
- Jo-Anne (17 Apr 2012)I was diagnosed with dengue in November, 2011. Bone pain lasted 4 weeks, hair loss started in January 2012 and still continues and the fatigue is still present. My liver function only returned to normal at the end of February, 2012...I still feel wrecked......
- Stima (10 Apr 2012)Dengue Fever in Sept 2011 after returning from a Caribbean cruise. Still extreme fatigue, thinning hair and recurrent conjuntivitis 7 months later....
- Cathy (28 Mar 2012)My son contracted dengue fever after a schoolies trip to Bali (Dec 2011). He spent one week on a drip in hospital following mild gastro symptoms, stomach pain, extremely high fever, light rash, no apetite, dehydration. Blood tests indicated a very low white blood cell count. Now 3 months later he has thinning hair which is dry and unhealthy. His hair looks fried. Although his energy levels are much improved, he fatigues more easily. The hair loss is quite marked. Hoping it recovers soon!
- Janine (17 Mar 2012)eI got dengue in Bali - experienced every symptom imaginable, first sign was loss of taste, face pimple like rash and urinary like infection, headache fever, vomitting, and other end. Couldnt eat or drink for two weeks and when I could everything tasted like pure salt, then metalic taste, memory loss, sunburn like rash, itchy rash then scabby rash. Pain allover body extreme fatique and the list goes on. Now two months later my hair is falling out in handfulls. I hope it stops soon.
- Hailey (29 Feb 2012)I had Dengue fever last year June, and about a month after noticed my feet peeling quite a lot. This lasted about a month, but did stop. Also, about 2 months after the dengue fever, I had a lot of hair falling out... this lasted longer, about 2 or 3 months, but did stop and now I have lots of new hair growing. The 3rd problem now is that my periods have stopped. Is this something that Dengue Fever can cause? Has anyone else had this problem?
- ushadevi (11 Feb 2012)massive hair loss after dengue for my wife both don't what to do please advive on this matter
- Jo (28 Jan 2012)had dengue in November 2011...suffering from skin peels under feel and great hair loss
- Katie (05 Jan 2012)I am to also having massive hair loss....I had denge fever like 3 months ago and the past 3 weeks my hair has gotten so thin from loosing sooo much hair...I have little spot in the front that are completly goneand u can see my scalp it has gotten so thin...I hope it soon stops coming out because i dont want to go bald....My doctor just said take viatamin B and E viatamins and got a shampoo with viatamin E in it....It has slowed down a little but still plenty coming out....
- Suzi Della (30 Dec 2011)I suffered from Dengue one month ago and my feet and hands are continually peeling in great sheets of skin. My hands can be managed with hand cream but my feet look horrendous ! However I am happy to note my headaches have subsided and so far just a little hair loss.
- jaya (11 Dec 2011)i am facing severe hair loss since 25 days. and i had suffered from dengue 3 months before. the hair fall rate is extreme and sudden. pls any body help me out. i am a 23 year old girl.
- Name (09 Dec 2011)it has been 2 months and its not stopping ....
- Neha (03 Dec 2011)my mother also faces same problems like hair fall, head ache and peeling of skin, weakness. Can you please recommend some useful tips to recover from these symptoms. Her age is 57 years.
- Ririn (28 Sep 2011)I had dengue fever last year. After couple months, I lost so much hair, and there was a 1/8" length part of my hair that has light color (my hair is dark) near the root. I changed my shampoo to the right one (for damaged hair) and added hair toner. It helped a lot. After a month, I don't have the problem anymore.
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