moneypox and hair loss

Relation between Monkeypox and Hair Loss 

 

With the world being swept away with the rumors of another pandemic with a virus they are calling Monkeypox, many are left wondering what exactly causes it? What are the symptoms of the Monkeypox outbreak and more importantly what are some outcomes of having had the contraction.

 

In this article we will talk about the symptoms and causes of the newest pandemic the world may be facing and discuss how this disease has a relation to extreme hair loss.

 

Continue reading to learn all about the relation between Monkeypox and hair loss.

What is Monkeypox Outbreak

 

Monkeypox or Mpox for short, is an infectious disease caused by the contraction of a virus called the Monkeypox. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes Monkeypox as: “a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus.” The virus is not new, the first known case dates back to the 1960s when the virus was first discovered and there has been mass spread of the virus over the decades.

 

The latest outbreak was in 2022 albeit it was undoubtedly overshadowed by the COVID-19 outbreak even though there was a significant rise in cases at a multi-country level. However on August 14, 2024 WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros, declared Mpox as an outbreak and called it a potential PHEIC (Public health emergency of international concern).

 

In the recent press-release by WHO to declare Mpox as an outbreak Dr. Tedros has stated: “On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.” 

What are the symptoms of Monkeypox?

 

The symptoms of Monkeypox are not that distinctive which is what makes it hard to self-identify for patients. The most common symptom is the skin rash that is itchy and swollen. The rash begins in the face and arm areas and slowly spreads to the whole body including the scalp. As it is an inflammation these lesions can be accompanied by high fever and aches spread out in the body. The skin can become quite infected as the rash and lesions slowly increase.

 

What causes monkeypox?

 

The cause of the monkeypox is through direct physical contact with a person that has the monkeypox virus or direct contact surfaces that may have been contaminated. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) determines that monkeypox is “caused by infection with a virus, known as Monkeypox virus. This virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox.”

Hair Loss during Monkeypox

 

One of the symptoms of Monkeypox is patchy hair loss. In some patients Monkeypox may mimic Alopecia causing the patients to believe they are just losing hair in certain areas. Alopecia is a common skin disease in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles and causes extreme hair loss and is the leading one illness of hair loss in the world.

 

Monkeypox can mimic alopecia in some patients if they don’t experience other symptoms like skin rashes or fatigue. However, as it is a virus that pertains to the skin, Monkeypox is known to cause hair loss in patches across the skin including the scalp and the chin area. If you suspect to have contracted monkeypox please contact a healthcare professional immediately.

Beard Loss During Monkeypox

 

As the monkeypox may mimic alopecia in that there are patches in watch hair that are lost, the patient may not be aware that they have monkeypox. Just like alopecia patients with monkeypox are known to have patchy hair in both their scalp and chin hairs which includes the beard area.

 

If that is the case make sure to check your skin for itchy rashes or lesions. If you suspect to have any skin issues contact a healthcare professional immediately and make sure to avoid contact with people until you are certain of your health condition. 

How to protect your hair during Monkeypox?

 

If hair loss is one of the symptoms you are experiencing with Monkeypox there are a few home remedies you can try. First of all do not panic or stress as it may hinder your recovery. Make sure to take care of your body first and restore yourself to health following your doctor’s recommendations. A holistic approach to hair loss may be using shampoos that can help with itch and rash that are approved by your doctor. You can also make sure to nurture your hair with oils like rosemary oil or coconut oil to make sure that your hair is healthy as you recover.

 

After your recovery from Monkeypox you can consult a hair clinic for both non-invasive or minimally invasive treatment plans. Depending on the severity of your hair loss you can opt for treatments like Minoxidil, Finasteride, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) or Injectable- Plasma Rich Fibrin (i-PRF) to rejuvenate your scalp to ensure hair growth. Ultimately you can also opt for a hair transplant if you want to significantly alter your look and make up for lost hair. 

FAQs about Monkeypox and Hair Loss

Depending on the severity of the hair loss there is a chance that your hair may restore to its former state. However if the hair loss is extreme or that your scalp has scarring or in need of some TLC your hair may not fully restore its state. In this case you may always opt for hair treatments and even transplants.

There are vaccines that may help protect against Monkeypox however as of 2024 August, there are no known vaccines that specifically target Monkeypox.

Yes, Mpox is the abbreviated version of Monkeypox. Sometimes medical journals will use Mpox as the short name of the disease and Monkeypox as the name of the virus. 

Yes, World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Monkeypox as an outbreak and a public health emergency on August 14, 2024. 

Currently there are specific cures for monkeypox however treatment is possible. Patients are urged to support their immune system and as it is the case with a viral disease take it easy and rest. As it is a disease that spreads with contact, patients are also advised to quarantine so as not to endanger other people around them. A supportive care that includes strengthening the immune system and some ointments to ease possible skin conditions will enable patients to make a successful recovery.

The first signs of monkeypox are the rashes that take over the face and arm areas in the body. These rashes are itchy and may become inflammatory. If you are experiencing these rashes you should refer to a healthcare professional immediately so that you can make sure to take care of yourself and boost your immune system accordingly.

Since it is a contact-based disease there is not much in terms of protection from Monkeypox. However one thing that certainly helps is having open-conversations in your own community and close self-observation. Fast and accurate action will save lives, make sure to observe yourself and others and always encourage open-conversations.

As with any viral disease Monkeypox too can become dangerous if left untreated or the patient is not able to boost their immune system. Patients that are young or have other conditions that may endanger the vitality of their immune systems like HIV or Diabetes may be more frail in viral disease. Make sure to contact a healthcare professional if you are unsure whether you have contracted the disease for the best and healthiest next step.

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