Alopecia

Abnormal hair loss, also known as, alopecia, can affect any body part.  The most common areas affected are head, eyelashes, eyebrows, armpit and pubic area, and hair on arms and legs.  Hair may also fall out during shampooing, brushing, or sleep.

 

Who experiences alopecia?

Although not every person will experience alopecia it is most common among chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy patients.  Loss of hair may occur after chemotherapy, while radiation will cause hair loss only in the treated area of the body.

 

What causes alopecia?

Like many cancer treatment side effects, alopecia is connected to damage of healthy cells.  Cancer cells divide rapidly. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are targeted at killing rapidly dividing cells.  However, hair follicles also divide rapidly and may also be killed during treatment.

 

When do patients start to lose hair?

Within 10 to 14 days chemotherapy patients may begin to start losing hair.  This may continue for an additional 1 to 2 months.  Patients may initially experience an itching sensation of the scalp.  Within a few hours hair will begin to fall out and will continue for duration of cancer treatment.  Hair usually grows back within 4 to 6 weeks after treatment at a rate of one-quarter inch per month.

Radiation therapy causes hair loss within two or three weeks at beginning of treatment.  Hair will may begin to return from 3 to 6 months after treatment ends.  However, in some cases hair loss is permanent.

 

Managing Hair Loss

Gentle treatment of hair may help slow down hair loss.  It may also improve how soon hair growth returns.  However, there is nothing that can be done to completely prevent hair loss from occurring from chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Managing alopecia has a lot to do with a patient's image of himself or herself.  Many women choose to wear a wig, scarf, hat or other type of head covering.  A head covering may provide protection against cold and sunlight.  This is important since the scalp may be tender from treatment.  This is especially true for radiation therapy targeted to the head.  When not wearing a head covering, it is important to use sunscreen when outside.

 

Gentle treatment of hair includes:

* Use soft-bristle brush and/or a wide-toothed comb.

* Use gentle pH-balanced shampoo (avoid shampoos with strong detergents, chemicals, or fragrances).

* Avoid hair dryers, hot rollers, or curling irons.

* Avoid bleaching or coloring hair or getting a permanent.

* Avoid hairstyles that pull on the hair, such as braids or ponytails.

* Use satin pillowcases or hairnet on to decrease friction.

 

Choosing the best wigs

 

* Buying the wig before treatment begins or at the beginning of treatment can help match hair's natural color

* Try out several different wigs

* Some wigs can be adjusted.  Wigs may not fit as well after continued hair loss.

* Health insurance may also cover cost of wig with a doctor's prescription.

* The local American Cancer Society branch may have free wigs donated by former cancer patients.

 

When should patients contact their doctor regarding hair loss?

Although hair loss maybe difficult due to self-esteem issues it is not a life-threatening condition.  There is no need to immediately contact a doctor due to hair loss.  It will be most convenient to mention worries about hair loss to a doctor when discussing treatment options and during regularly scheduled visits.

 

More information on alopecia is available at the following sites:

* Look Good...Feel Better: www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org

* Tender Loving Care: www.tlc.org

* Headcovers Unlimited: www.headcovers.com

* ChemoCare HeadWear: www.chemocareheadwear.com