Hair loss after sepsis

[cabana1]

Has anyone experienced this? I had kidney failure caused by severe sepsis in December, and for the past month my hair has been falling out in handfuls. I now have to tie my hair back, but my ponytail is barely there. My doctor says it's due to the massive trauma my body suffered, and it will grow back, but the shedding doesn't seem to be slowing down. I've been using Nioxin shampoo and taking silica vitamins for a couple of months now, but I'm not seeing any benefit yet 😢. It's really getting me down.

I have lost about half my hair since my bout with Sepsis in March. The remainder of my hair has a whole different texture than it used to have. I am looking forward to my hair coming back in as it was always very thick. I had to have a colostomy as a result of the sepsis and my hair loss bothers me more than the colostomy! Vain I guess but people can’t tell about the colostomy...they can see my hair. Fortunately most people do not notice that my hair is do much thinner. Here’s to it all growing back!!

Hi Oregongrandmaof2 , you and I had our nasty experience at similar times, mine was in February. I too have lost at least half my hair and any confidence I had with it. My hair was very long and thick, now it’s long and thin. There’s lots of wild new growth but stillness shedding, it’s eased a little but I’ve not much left. MY parting has filled in happily. I think we have acute telogen effluvium so hopefully the shedding will stop for us both soon. Eat well ant nurture yourself. I mourn for my hair. There’s are good support groups on Facebook with a lot of information. Good luck

Thanks for your support! My shedding has definitely reduced, almost to a normal amount now but I don’t see any evidence yet of regrowth. I also have thyroid issues which haven’t helped with the hair. I’m keeping my hair shorter until it fills in again!

Oregongrandmaof2. It will show growth very soon, the hair is pushed out by a new hair growing, have a look after a shower and you may see little spikes. Glad to hear your shedding is stopping now, mine continues but is slightly better

I did actually look close after washing my hair last night...I noticed that I have many hairs about an inch long on the top....hip hip hooray!

Oregongrandmaof2 that’s good news😁, they will probably defy the laws of gravity for a while though😳

I had Sepsis In April and 3 months later my hair began to fall out in clumps, I read this forum and others, I took Vitamin B straight away, and in 2 months my hair stopped falling out. Thank god I had a lot of hair, I lost 30 to 40 hair, but it is now growing back slowly and begins to feel natural again. I was scared and had no idea what to do, I washed my hair with very great care, and started using silk pillows.
It will stop falling out some point and will grow back

Hi! So glad I found this site and conversation. I had urosepsis 5 months ago, 7 days intensive care. My daughter stayed with me when I first returned home as I barely could walk alone, my joints very painful. Now my hair is falling out big time. Learning about the telogen effluvium was helpful. I am now also experiencing depression, which I was not expecting. My best friend goes wirh me to the gym twice a week and that is helping rebuild core muscles. I am 71 and really feel my age right now. Thanks for all you ladies have shared!

Just joined because I have been looking for some help regarding all the issues you ladies are talking about. I had septic shock in December 2019, 10 days in the Hospital. One of the first things I noticed in there was a fungus like color under 1-2 of my nails.
Fast forward 2-3 months I’ve lost a total of 3 fingernails and my hair is falling out like mad. I had long thick hair and it’s very thin now. I started working out again, but I just feel old. I’m a lot more sore days after and my stamina is very low.
I’m happy to read that some of you had your hair grow back. Is that with doing anything extra on your part?
I’m taking collagen powder in my shakes and taking biotin...... any advice is welcome.
The skin on my hands also peeled off... so weird.
Thank you for being here

Hi Plastics I didn’t want to ignore your comment but I would start a new thread as you have posted on a very old one.

I had sepsis in February my hair is falling out not broken coming from the roots also my skin is peeling like sunburn my face is so dry skin and blotchy red I still can walk the sepsis has took my ability to walk in like a child learning how to walk

Hi had sepsis in February 2021 I no find my skin is so rough and it’s peeling my face is terrible very red & blotchy & dry. My hair is falling out not breaking caning from the root it’s everywhere all over my bed floor in every room of my house I’m so very stressed about this doctors have tested my blood and everything came back normal. Sepsis has took my ability to walk so now I’m learning how to walk like children so I have to go out in my wheelchair I have primary progressive multiple sclerosis so that’s not helping on the + side I can’t eat anything sweet like chocolate sweets or drink tea it makes me feel sick anyone else have any of these problems after sepsis please feel free to contact me as any help would be great 👍🏼

@Joycey60 Hi I had sepsis seven months ago in November after a uti went to my kidney and caused severe pyelonephritis leading to sepsis I was in hospital for seventeen days!!
Have had some shedding of hair and generally have not felt back to normal yet, I feel extremely tired , have a fast heart rate but blood tests were ok just slightly anemic but being vegetarian I've always been low in iron.
Definitely finding every day tasks more of a chore, doctor didn't think there's any ongoing symptoms after sepsis but reading this thread just now I'm not so sure.

I developed Severe Sepsis after first Influenza A and Double Strep Pneumonia. kidney failure and Congestive Heart Failure. In the hospital for 8 days. Been home now almost 2 months. I don't have much energy....slowly getting back to myself. I shampooed my hair the other day and I lost a lot. I don't seem to find any particular area that it came from. I am so thankful that I survived this illness. I was extremely close to not making it. Does anyone know how long we continue to lose hair...or is it different for everyone. I see my dermatologist soon hopefully she will have suggestions. Would love to hear feedback and suggestions. Thank you.

"Hair loss can occur after sepsis, and can’t be treated, but it is usually temporary. It often starts several weeks after sepsis and lasts about 3 to 6 months. It’s normal to shed 30-150 hairs daily, but hair regrows automatically. In the meantime, handle hair gently, and avoid over-vigorous brushing, combing and scalp massage. You should also ensure a nutritious diet, with plenty of protein, fruit and vegetables." Sepsis Trust

This might help?