Can I Wash My Hair While Having COVID-19?

Contracting COVID-19 can be a stressful and anxious time. You likely have many questions about how to care for yourself while ill with the virus. One common question is – can I wash my hair while having COVID-19?

Proper hygiene is crucial when sick with any illness. With COVID in particular, cleaning your body and environment can minimize virus transmission to others.

Washing your hair is generally safe with mild COVID sickness. But take some precautions based on your symptoms. This article provides tips on safely washing hair when you have COVID-19.

Is It Okay to Wash Hair When You Have COVID-19?

• Wash hair when you have mild COVID illness without complications.

• Avoid washing hair if you have severe COVID sickness with:

  • High fever

  • Shortness of breath

  • Low oxygen levels

  • Overall exhaustion

• Wait until fever and acute symptoms subside before washing hair.

• Take help from someone else if too fatigued to wash hair yourself.

• Adjust hair washing frequency based on your symptom severity.

How Does Hair Get Contaminated With COVID-19?

COVID-19 mainly spreads through respiratory droplets emitted while coughing, sneezing, talking or breathing. Droplets with virus particles can land on your hair if you are near an infected person.

You can also contaminate your own hair by touching it with infected hands. COVID has been detected on hair samples of infected patients.

So hair washing helps remove any viral particles that may be present on the strands or scalp.

Precautions for Washing COVID-Positive Hair

Follow these tips if you want to wash hair while recovering from COVID:

Wash Hair Over the Sink

• Lean over a bathroom sink to wet and wash long hair. Avoid shower steam.

• Use a hand-held showerhead if you need to wash hair in the shower.

• Face away from the water flow to keep spray off your face.

Use Lukewarm Water

• Hot showers tend to worsen COVID symptoms like fever and fatigue.

• Very cold water can suppress immunity further. Use lukewarm water.

Don’t Scrub Vigorously

• Gently massage shampoo into your scalp with fingertips.

• Avoid excessive scrubbing or friction that can irritate the scalp.

Limit Hair Washing Frequency

• Wash natural hair once a week max.

• Wash oily scalp hair twice a week tops.

• Too-frequent washing can dry out your hair and scalp.

Let Hair Air Dry

• Pat hair gently with a towel. Don’t rub wet hair.

• Allow hair to air dry naturally as much as possible.

• Avoid hair dryers and other heating tools.

Disinfect Combs

• Any combs, brushes or accessories used should be disinfected.

• Soak combs in rubbing alcohol or antibacterial spray.

• Wash accessories with soap and hot water between uses.

When to Avoid Hair Washing With COVID-19

You should not wash your hair if you have:

• High, persistent fever over 102°F (39°C)

• Severe body ache, headache or fatigue

• Low oxygen saturation level

• Shortness of breath or chest tightness

• Dizziness or fainting episodes

• Overall exhaustion where standing is difficult

Avoid hair washing until the fever and acute phase of COVID illness passes. Severely ill patients are at risk of collapsing in the shower.

How Often Should You Wash COVID-Positive Hair?

• Wash natural hair once a week when recovering from mild COVID.

• Wash oily scalp or thin hair twice a week when sick.

• Avoid daily hair washing as it can perpetuate symptoms.

• Adjust frequency based on symptom severity and hair type.

When Can You Resume Normal Hair Washing Post COVID?

Resume your regular pre-COVID hair washing schedule when:

• You have been fever-free for over 24 hours without meds.

• Respiratory symptoms like cough and fatigue have greatly improved.

• You are no longer contagious as per CDC guidelines.

• You have the energy for your usual showering routine.

• Your doctor confirms you have recovered adequately.

As a rule of thumb, wait at least 1-2 weeks after testing COVID positive before resuming your normal hair care regimen. This allows sufficient recovery time.

Tips for Washing Delicate or Textured Hair with COVID

Those with sensitive or textured hair may need extra gentleness when washing COVID-positive hair:

• Curly hair: Use tons of conditioner, finger detangle and air dry.

• Natural hair: Carefully moisturize and seal hair after washing.

• Chemically treated hair: Avoid washing too often to prevent damage.

• Thin or fine hair: Use lightweight shampoos and gently pat dry.

• Extensions or wigs: Spray with disinfectant and let fully dry before wearing again.

• Damaged hair: Use a deep conditioning hair mask when washing.

• Dandruff-prone: Use anti-dandruff shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

Adjust your usual hair care based on your hair type and texture.

How to Sanitize Combs and Brushes Used When Ill With COVID

Properly disinfect any hair accessories used when washing COVID-positive hair:

• Metal combs/brushes: Mix 1 tsp of bleach into 1 cup of water. Soak combs for 10 minutes. Rinse and air dry.

• Plastic combs/brushes: Soak in rubbing alcohol for 10 minutes. Rinse and let air dry.

• Wooden combs/brushes: Wipe with disinfectant wipes or spritz with 70% isopropyl alcohol spray. Air dry.

• Hair clips: Soak in soapy hot water for 10 minutes. Rinse and allow to fully air dry.

• Hair ties: Wash with hot soapy water. Change elastic bands frequently.

• Wigs: Spray wig thoroughly with disinfectant. Let wig dry completely before wearing again.

When to Call the Doctor About Washing Hair With COVID-19

Contact your doctor promptly if you experience:

• Difficulty standing up in the shower due to fatigue or dizziness

• Chest tightness or difficulty breathing when showering

• Sudden onset fever and chills during or after hair wash

• New cough, wheezing or respiratory distress

• Signs of accidental scalp injury while washing hair when ill

• Worsening of concussion symptoms like headache, vertigo or confusion

• Any other concerning or severe symptoms arise when showering

Do not take chances with your health. Call your doctor right away if you have any alarming symptoms arise when washing your hair while recovering from COVID-19.

Conclusion

Maintaining proper hygiene including hair washing while sick with COVID-19 is important. However, severe fatigue, low oxygen, difficulty breathing or high fever are signs to avoid showering.

Adjust the frequency of washing delicate hair based on your symptom severity. Use gentle hair products and minimize friction or heat styling. Thoroughly sanitize any combs, brushes or other hair accessories used when sick.

With some extra care and caution, you can keep your hair clean without exacerbating COVID-19 symptoms or complications. Focus on resting and recovering, and slowly resume your normal hair care routine once your doctor confirms you’re no longer contagious.