The Side Effects of Chemotheraphy Hair Loss

Chemotherapy hair loss is one of the most physically and psychologically upsetting side effects of cancer treatment. Alopecia medicamentosa, the baldness that results from chemotherapy and radiation treatment, is utterly overwhelming to the state of mind of male and female cancer patients. The risk of alopecia can cause some patients to turn down potentially curative or medically proven chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy not only damages rapidly isolating cells such as cancer cells, but also healthy cells, such as hair follicles. A number of chemotherapy drugs can damage hair follicles which could well lead to hair loss, or alopecia. When chemotherapy hair loss takes place, it characteristically starts two or three weeks subsequent to the first chemotherapy treatment.

Chemotherapy impinges on all and sundry in a different way, and chemotherapy drugs have different effects on the body; nevertheless chemotherapy hair loss is a common side effect. This might happen on the scalp, face, under arms, pubic areas, and other places on the body. The chemotherapy hair loss might be slight thinning or complete loss, and it might happen over several days or weeks.

The question is, how can you cope with chemotherapy hair loss during this time frame? Given that the most apparent baldness is on the scalp, coping with the loss can be devastating. Whichever solution you choose, there are things that you can do to help reduce your hair loss. Chemotherapy hair loss is an unfortunate reality that many cancer patients have to face. This is not caused by all chemotherapy drugs in itself, but it is a widespread after effect.

As said by the national cancer institute, numerous cancer patients who experience chemotherapy hair loss opt to using wigs, hair pieces, scarves, hats, and turbans. If you have intention of using a wig for your hair loss problem, it is recommended purchasing a wig before you lose a lot of hair. In addition, the wig will be ready to wear if you experience a loss of hair. Some cancer patients who experience hair loss prefer leaving their heads uncovered, while other patients use something to cover their head in public and leave it exposed at home.

The essential thing is to be as comfy as possible when dealing with chemotherapy hair loss. The alteration in skin and body can be upsetting after effects of cancer treatment. Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, but even if others do, the solace is that after chemotherapy hair does grow back.

While a number of of the newer, more targeted chemotherapy drugs will not affect hair, others do cause hair loss. And regrettably, there's nothing you can do to put a stop to it. Depending on the drug, your hair might slowly but surely thin before you lose all your hair or you might lose it all at once.

Many patients try to prepare themselves emotionally for the change; and most of them have their hair cut before they start chemo. Others opt to have their heads shaved. Whatever the solution be assured it will grow back. Normally, within a few weeks after treatment ends, your hair should start growing back. If you've been using hair color or chemicals, your hair might be slower to grow back or may perhaps be more brittle.

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