Hair Loss And Changes

For hair loss prevention this site will help you. http://www.ecancerchemotherapy.com/chemotherapy-hair-loss-prevention.html
http://www.ecancerchemotherapy.com/chemotherapy-hair-loss

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.

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.

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

Cancer cells are cells that grow and divide rapidly. Chemotherapy medications are designed to attack such cells. Other rapid growing cells in our bodies are our hair follicles. These cells are also attacked by chemotherapy drugs, thereby causing hair loss. As a result, chemotherapy can cause hair loss all over the body, including body hair, eyelashes and eyebrows.

Some chemotherapy drugs are more likely than others to cause hair loss. Some will only cause hair thinning, while others can cause complete baldness. Fortunately, chemotherapy-induced hair loss is almost always temporary.

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!