Alopecia

Hard to compare. Alopecia wasn't the result of a decision I made or remotely within my control. Electing to have prophylactic risk reducing surgeries like mastectomy and oopherectomy was an entirely patient-driven decision. Being elective, and especially having happened back when risk-reducing surgery in the context of BRCA carrier status was new ground, I was on my own. My doctors were not able or willing to weigh in on my decision so that put a tremendous amount of patient responsibility on my shoulders. Once I made the decision though, I did not agonize at all. It was a relief because living with the constant fear of a breast cancer diagnosis is far more agonizing. Hard to compare. Alopecia wasn't the result of a decision I made or remotely within my control. Electing to have prophylactic risk reducing surgeries like mastectomy and oopherectomy was an entirely patient-driven decision. Being elective, and especially having happened back when risk-reducing surgery in the context of BRCA carrier status was new ground, I was on my own. My doctors were not able or willing to weigh in on my decision so that put a tremendous amount of patient responsibility on my shoulders. Once I made the decision though, I did not agonize at all. It was a relief because living with the constant fear of a breast cancer diagnosis is far more agonizing.

There are caps, scarves, turbans, and hats of many types, some designed specifically for medical hair loss, but most them serving the general head wear market. Even if you wear a wig, you will likely want other head wear options on hand as wigs can be tight, hot and abrasive on sensitive scalps that lack hair due to a scalp condition or chemotherapy. Unless you choose to sleep in a wig, a soft sleep cap is also important as you might not realize the degree to which scalp hair insulates us against heat loss until you don't have hair.

If you lose your hair during chemotherapy, consider those head wear options designed specifically for chemo hair loss as your needs can differ from those of the general head wear market. Hats and pre-tied scarves are great options if you are unable to lift your arms over your head to tie or adjust more complicated head wear items. Soft fabrics/materials are helpful if you experience the scalp sensitivity that often accompanies chemo hair loss.

Among the most important issues in choosing head wear items for medical hair loss is fit. If you're going to be wearing something on your head all day, you want it to fit comfortably and securely. While wigs are a popular option for hair loss, there are many other alternatives to wearing a wig. One such option is a scarf.

Scarfs are used everyday and are a fashion accessory. Whether or not someone is experiencing hair loss, a scarf can often be used around the head for decorative purposes and to complete and outfit. Tying a head scarf can be a complicated and frustrating task the first time you try it on your own unless you know how to in advance.

http://www.4women.com/ offers videos on how to tie a head scarf. The site also offers a huge selection of fashionable head scarves in all different types of materials and colors that are pre-tied, pre-fitted, sized, lined and secure.

Head scarves can offer a lot of creativity as they can be worn in so many different ways. Feel free to experiment and check out YouTube for videos.

Depends entirely upon the cause of the hair loss.

Some types of hair loss will eventually self-correct, such as telogen effluvium, which is a sudden shedding that can last weeks to months, and is typically triggered by sudden hormonal changes brought on by childbirth, or severe emotional or physiological stress. If the hair loss is caused by thyroid dysfunction or a nutritional deficiency (such as low blood iron levels), then the condition can be reversed by taking a prescribed thyroid medication or by taking specific nutrient supplements. If the hair loss is related to genetic factors (such as male-pattern hair loss) or autoimmune conditions (such as Alopecia Areata or Lupus), then there are few or no substantiated options for permanently reversing the hair loss. There are options such as Rogaine or scalp steroid injections that can temporarily reverse the hair loss, but typically the hair falls out again as soon as the treatments are paused or discontinued. Depends entirely upon the cause of the hair loss.

Some types of hair loss will eventually self-correct, such as telogen effluvium, which is a sudden shedding that can last weeks to months, and is typically triggered by sudden hormonal changes brought on by childbirth, or severe emotional or physiological stress. If the hair loss is caused by thyroid dysfunction or a nutritional deficiency (such as low blood iron levels), then the condition can be reversed by taking a prescribed thyroid medication or by taking specific nutrient supplements. If the hair loss is related to genetic factors (such as male-pattern hair loss) or autoimmune conditions (such as Alopecia Areata or Lupus), then there are few or no substantiated options for permanently reversing the hair loss. There are options such as Rogaine or scalp steroid injections that can temporarily reverse the hair loss, but typically the hair falls out again as soon as the treatments are paused or discontinued.

Know that if you are devastated by having to lose your hair during cancer treatment, your feelings are valid. Many women feel that hair loss brands them as a "cancer patient" and makes it more difficult to deal with their diagnosis and treatment with anonymity. Hair loss can seem like a constant reminder that you are "sick", even when you might not be feeling sick. Friends or loved one's may try to support you with statements like "it's just hair" or "it will grow back", statements that may leave you feeling like your feelings are being dismissed or worse, that you are vain for caring about your hair or appearance in the context of cancer. It is not "just hair". You have every right to want to feel good about yourself while fighting cancer.

The more you can do to prepare for hair loss and choose your appearance without hair, the more in control you will feel. A greater sense of control over those factors that you can address can ease or lessen feelings of fear, anxiety or depression and increase your self-confidence, which can in turn contribute to a greater quality of life during cancer treatment. Chemotherapy induced hair loss is an inevitable side effect of treatment for many patients with cancer. It is dependant on the type of drugs used 9so check if hair loss will be a side effect of your treatment with your oncologist or oncology nurse).It is important to know that hair loss involves the loss of hair from all over the body i.e eyebrows, eyelashes, underarm hair and pubic hair. Alot of patients do not realise this and are quite taken aback when it does happen, It is important to visit a wig supplier (if you want to buy a wig) before your hair starts to fall out. This way, the wig supplier can see your current hairstyle and what type of hairstyle suits your face. Many patients would say that it is better to shave off the hair before it falls out (as watching it falling out can be very traumatic). Participation in programmes such as the look good feel better programme, support groups etc are useful in helping people come to terms with their hair loss. You must remember that hair loss is an individualised experience for everone. Have a look at the findings of a previous research study that I conducted in January 2010. It is available via the following link
http://www.iano.ie/publications/cnnwinter2010.pdf%20
(Scroll to page 3 of the article)

Alopecia areata is a lifelong autoimmune disorder. Hair loss may come and go, but the autoimmune disorder is not self-correcting. At this time, there is no cure.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder in which the person's immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. Alopecia areata is typically characterized by patches of hair loss that come and go, whereas Alopecia totalis is the loss of all the hair on the scalp, Alopecia universalsis is the loss of all the scalp and body hair (including eyelashes and eyebrows), and scarring alopecia includes painful scarring in addition to hair loss. An estimated 2 percent of the population is at risk of developing Alopecia areata. Among that group, an estimated 20 percent develop Alopecia totalis or Alopecia universalis.

"Alopecia" is a general medical term for "hair loss". There are numerous other conditions and triggers for hair loss in addition to the autoimmune disorder that is Alopecia areata, A. totalis, or A. universalis. Alopecia areata is a lifelong autoimmune disorder. Hair loss may come and go, but the autoimmune disorder is not self-correcting. At this time, there is no cure.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder in which the person's immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. Alopecia areata is typically characterized by patches of hair loss that come and go, whereas Alopecia totalis is the loss of all the hair on the scalp, Alopecia universalsis is the loss of all the scalp and body hair (including eyelashes and eyebrows), and scarring alopecia includes painful scarring in addition to hair loss. An estimated 2 percent of the population is at risk of developing Alopecia areata. Among that group, an estimated 20 percent develop Alopecia totalis or Alopecia universalis.

"Alopecia" is a general medical term for "hair loss". There are numerous other conditions and triggers for hair loss in addition to the autoimmune disorder that is Alopecia areata, A. totalis, or A. universalis.

If you have children in your life (as a mom, granny, auntie, or teacher), consider the importance of being straight with them about your hair loss. I know this seems amazingly difficult. It isn't a conversation we are ever prepared for. That's why I wrote the book I wish I had back when I was diagnosed 11 years ago. It's called Nowhere Hair (http://www.NowhereHair.com), and it's a children's book that explains cancer and the loss of hair due to chemo in a way that is whimsical yet honest. It takes away the scary, and it gives you the words you need. It's available on my website and at Amazon. sue The first step to managing or minimizing the emotional impacts of medical hair loss is to acknowledge that medical hair loss can be devastating for women and girls. During cancer treatment, we desperately want to maintain a sense of normalcy in our lives and drastic appearance changes such as hair loss make that more difficult. While your medical caregivers, family members or friends may not understand your hair loss grief, your feelings are valid and you should not feel guilty for caring about your hair in the context of cancer.

There are steps you can take to reduce the emotional impacts of chemo-induced hair loss. One step that many women who have experienced chemo-induced hair loss recommend is to cut the hair short before it begins to fall out. The visual impact that comes with the loss of hair is reduced relative to what you might experience if you are collecting handfuls of long hair as it falls out.

Another coping tactic that many women recommend is shaving your head once hair loss begins. Many women find it especially traumatic to watch their hair fall out, seeing it covering clothes, pillows, other surfaces, and find that shaving the hair that they're destined to lose anyways helps them to avoid the most difficult part of the process.

Be prepared! Once you learn that hair loss is an expected side effect of your particular chemotherapy regimen, search out and collect a sample of head wear items for your hair loss days (hats, scarves, wig). It's often hard to tell which options you'll prefer while you still have hair, but by having an assortment of options on-hand before hair loss occurs, you will not be left feeling unprepared. Once you have lost your hair, you can experiment with your sample options and will likely develop preferences. Once you know what you like best, you can purchase more of your preferred head wear items.

Chemo-induced hair loss is almost always temporary. This is an important fact to keep in mind when wig shopping, as wigs can be very expensive. Talk to other women and research reputable wig salons. You can try to match your hair color before hair loss occurs or take this opportunity to try a new color and/or style.

This is a time to pamper yourself. At no time is such love of self more important than when fighting cancer.

Hair falls out with most breast cancer chemo drugs, but there are some where it does not. (They tend to be the less aggressive chemo drugs.) Your oncologist can give you the statistics on common hair loss based on the drug "cocktail" you are prescribed. I had chemo and I can tell you that my hair fell out on the exact schedule the information packet said it would. As soon as it began to fall out, I shaved it off so I wouldn't have to deal with the emotions of seeing it fall out in clumps. But, everybody is different in this regard. I actually got a great looking wig and in some ways it was better than my own hair.

Nobody wants to lose their hair but obviously it is better to lose your hair than to lose your life, so you'll learn to deal with it if you have to. My hair began to grow back almost immediately after I completed chemo and if you looked at me now, you'd never know I ever lost my hair. Good luck with your treatments. That is the most important thing! Hair loss (alopecia) is a common and distressing side effect from chemotherapy.

Hair loss depends on the chemo medication and dosages being administered. The loss of your hair may happen all at once or more slowly and you may lose all your hair or just some of it. Your eyelashes, eyebrows, and pubic hair may also be affected. It may occur in the second or third week after beginning treatments, or even after multiple cycles of treatment.

The important thought to keep in mind is that hair loss is temporary. Hair typically grows back 3-6 months after treatments are completed.

Hair loss cannot be prevented during chemotherapy and there is no treatment for it. Here are some suggestions to help deal with hair loss:
Have a short haircut before starting treatments.
Buy a wig.
Buy caps and learn how to tie scarves in unique ways.