By Tamlyn Canham
Rachel Kolisi is getting real about her hair loss struggles. The 29-year-old, who is the wife of Siya Kolisi, revealed that she has been battling.
“For the past couple of weeks whenever I wash, or brush my hair I’m literally removing HANDFULS of hair. I’ve always been blessed with really thick hair and recently tied my hair in a ponytail and the thickness of my hair is maybe a third of what it was a year ago,” she wrote.
Rachel added that her hair loss was so bad that she almost had a bald patch at the back of her head.
She thinks stress and COVID-19 could have played a part.
“Stress has definitely played a huge role! But when I mentioned this a bunch of people said their hair has been falling out since having COVID-19? Have you experienced this?”
READ: Baby shark! Siya Kolisi’s son trains with him
Kolisi family contracts COVID-19
Rachel tested positive for COVID-19 in December last year. Her husband Siya also contracted the deadly virus.
“It’s been a roller coaster experience, I tested negative which I’m incredibly grateful for! Seeing how hard it’s been for Rachel @rachel_kolisi has not been easy specially when I can’t physically be with her. And it’s definitely taken a toll on the kids not having their Mom with us,” Siya wrote on Instagram.
The Cell C Sharks rugby star added that he had taken over all their household chores.
“I’ve picked up all the household responsibility and for the first time ever, realize what it’s been like when I go on tours. It’s not easy.”
Can COVID-19 cause hair loss?
According to Healthline, there have been many reports of people experiencing hair loss after contracting COVID-19.
A group of 63 people took part in a November 2020 study about the late-onset symptoms of COVID-19.
Around 24% of the participants reported having hair loss. They usually noticed the hair loss about two months later.
Researchers believe the high fever associated with COVID-19 could lead to telogen effluvium (TE), which is one of the most common forms of hair loss.
Stress can also trigger TE.



