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Chemotherapy |
Chemotherapy consists of the administration of drugs that destroy rapidly reproducing cancer cells. Cancer cells are some of the most rapidly reproducing cells in the body. The goal of chemotherapy is to eliminate these cancer cells, while minimizing the negative effect on normal, healthy cells. Unfortunately, while chemotherapy drugs preferentially destroy cancer cells, the drugs also can destroy those cells responsible for normal growth of hair and nails. Cancer patients sometimes shed the hair and nails during treatment. Chemotherapy drugs are poisonous to the cells of the hair root responsible for hair shaft formation. Usually, the hair is lost rapidly in large quantities during treatment.
The relationship between chemotherapy and hair loss can be found in the following instances:
• Hair thinning is often an inevitable consequence of such cancer treatments as chemotherapy and radiation. Hair loss especially that seen from chemotherapy treatment occurs when a healthy hair follicle is damaged or enters a prolonged dormant stage.
• Hair loss may continue for a month or so after treatment, however, every patient is different, so these results may vary.
• Hair loss may begin as early as 10 days after the start of the first course of chemotherapy or not until further into treatment.
• Hair usually begins falling out 10 to 14 days after you start treatment.
• Hair is one of the first parts of your body that would be seriously affected by chemotherapy.
It can be clearly seen that Chemotherapy, in the course of its administration, destroys those cells responsible for normal growth of hair and nails. However, hair re-growth can sometimes start near the end of treatment, or shortly after finishing the treatment.
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Hair Care Tips During Chemotherapy
You can ease the pull of long hair on your scalp by having it cut into a shorter style before you undergo treatment.
• Diet as advised by dietician.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals and shampoo on your hair as these can cause the scalp to become dry and itchy.
• Do not color or get a perm during chemotherapy.. Do not perm you hair for at least six months after your treatment. If your scalp does become too dry you can gently massage it with a light moisturizer.
• Use a soft hairbrush to prevent irritating your scalp if it is tender.
• Brushing, combing, hair pins, hair rollers and curling should all be minimized.
• Hair styling aids such as mousse, hair spray, hair spritz, styling gel and sculpturing gel may be used in moderation
• Avoid nylon pillowcases as they can irritate the scalp. Use cotton as an alternative.
• Rinse hair thoroughly and pat dry. Do not use blow dryers, as they are very damaging to the hair.
• Avoid sleeping with hair rollers in place.
• If you have lost underarm hair, try not to use deodorants and use unscented talcum powder instead.
• Wear a scarf or hat when outdoors to prevent sunburn and heat loss.
Solution at Hairline
This hair loss is usually temporary and your hair will regrow completely after your treatment. However, the speed and thickness of the regrowth is dependent on the length treatment and the medications you received. On average it takes between six and twelve months after you have finished your treatment. If your hair does not regrow or comes back very patchy, wearing a wig is a the best solution.
Purchase a wig prior to treatment that matches your hair color. This way, you will have one ready in case you do experience hair loss. Hair usually falls out in clumps during chemo, not evenly.There are several varieties in all styles and colours.
Homeopathy
The chemotherapy patient faces many challenges—spiritual, emotional, financial and physical. Homeopathic remedies offer two benefits: the possibility of improving symptoms associated with the side effects of chemotherapy and rapid restoration of blood chemistry.
THE GOOD NEWS, however, is that once chemo¬therapy is completed, the hair usually grows back.
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| Treatment |
Can you prevent hair loss during chemo treatments?
Currently, there is no known prevention for hair loss due to chemotherapy. Through the years, attempts have been made to reduce hair loss by using tight bands or ice caps. These techniques were thought to reduce the blood flow to the hair follicles, thus limiting the chemotherapy exposure. Unfortunately, these techniques did little more than cause headaches and have been abandoned in most settings.
Hair loss can occur at varying degrees and to different parts of the body depending on the type or combination of drugs used:
• baldness may be temporary, partial or total
• you may lose eyebrows, eyelashes, body and pubic hair
• you may not lose any hair at all
How and when hair growth occurs:
Adequate hair growth may take six months to one year.
• Returning hair may be different from the hair that was lost. Due to the absence or alteration of pigment the hair may grow back white, gray or a different color. Eventually, as the pigment cells return to normal, the original color should return.
• It is common for the new hair returning to be finer in texture initially, but like color, the texture should return to its original thickness. It is sometimes difficult to be patient, but as the body is returning to normal and getting over the significant insult, time is a necessary ingredient .
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