Do you know that cancer treatment causes hair loss? Read on to know more about this side effect of cancer treatment and how can it be managed.
Most people do not realize the value of hair until they start losing it. Diseases like cancer and its treatment only promote hair loss. Not all kinds of cancer lead to hair loss but it is the treatment which causes it in most cases. Cancer weakens a person’s body by draining out the body’s vitamins and minerals. In the process, hair loss is bound to happen. There are several side effects of this disease and its treatment – hair loss is one of them. It affects both men and women equally.
Why Does Cancer Treatment Hair Loss Happens?
Chemotherapy is a method of treating tumors. It consists of very powerful medications. Hair loss is just one side effect of this treatment. There are several more like pain, nausea, dry skin and so on. The drug used in chemotherapy is essential for treatment because they control the exponential growth of the cancer cells in your body. The effects of this drug will also reach the roots of your hair. Hair loss is not only seen on the scalp but also on several other parts of the body. However, the good news is that the hair loss is temporary. Soon after a few months post chemo session, the patient will see a few hair spurt again. And with enough nourishment, one can again have a long mane of hair!
What To Expect With Cancer Hair Loss During Chemotherapy?
A person experiences hair loss typically after 2-3 weeks after the treatment starts. Usually it may fall in clumps or in strands. However, the hair loss progresses very fast. You will find signs of it on your hair brush, pillow and seating arrangement. Even when you wash your hair you will find the drains clogged with hair.
The hair-less phase is bound to continue as long as the treatment is in progress and also a few weeks after the treatment is complete. After the treatment, your hair grows back gradually. The texture or the color of the hair that grows back may differ from your original one.
Can Hair Loss Be Prevented During Cancer Treatment?
Not really. Hair loss cannot be prevented during chemotherapy as the drugs are too strong. Actually this kind of hair loss is good for you. It’s because the drugs are reaching out to the roots of your hair and preventing cancerous cells from growing there. However, while undergoing therapy, you can do several other things that can help decrease the stress levels of hair loss. You can keep your hair short during the treatment or shave your head. Some kinds of dietary improvements will also help. Green leafy vegetables have hormones that can help the hair grow back quickly. One should take the advice of the nutritionist in choosing the leafy vegetables.
Drugs To Reduce Cancer Hair Loss:
There are some drugs available like Rogaine which can reduce the hair fall. They are applied to the scalp before and after chemotherapy. This drug also helps in stimulating the hair cells and roots, and promotes hair growth. This drug is available in the form of a cream. It may not be suited for all patients. However, the doctor will be the best person to decide if this drug will be helpful or not.
Cancer causes an emotional drain for a person who is going through it. However, one should concentrate on the speedy recovery from this terminal disease. The sooner you recover, the faster you regain your physique.
Yes, in chemotherapy, you can’t prevent hair loss due to cancer completely. But you can definitely try to manage the stress levels of hair loss. Hair fall is temporary and will come back soon. Health and recovery is the most important concern. However, try to adapt to new hairstyles or dressing up appropriately to regain your confidence level.
Hope, you find this article useful and informative. Do share your feedback via the comments section below.
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