Alopecia – Imminent Side Effect chemotherapy

Treatment of malignant (cancerous)
neoplasms using traditional chemotherapeutic agents
affects the human body in different ways. So
x-ray alopecia is one of the most
common side effects of chemotherapy, i.e. the process
hair loss preceded by chemo or
radiotherapy. After “chemistry”, alopecia may be partial or
full – the intensity of baldness depends on the “severity” of the course
procedures.

From a psychological point of view, the hardest thing to transfer
alopecia accounts for women who, unlike men, are more
susceptible to major changes in their appearance.

General information

The content of the article:

• General information
• Causes and symptoms of temporary alopecia
• Chemotherapy regimens and the main toxic effect of their
  of application
• Phytotherapy – therapeutic hair restoration after “chemistry”
• Preventing hair loss
• Basic hair care tips

Alopecia in patients has
several reasons, however, are all related to the effects of external
irritants (in this case – as a result of treatment with “chemistry”). AT
most cases, with a favorable outcome of the disease
hair restoration after chemotherapy occurs after 6 weeks
after the end of the last such procedure.

At the stage of preparation for the treatment of cancer,
be prepared for the fact that after the “chemistry” hair loss may occur
in all growth zones, including pubis (“moon” hill), in
underarms. Also, for some time will have to leave
with the scalp on his head, and with some types of “chemistry” – with
eyelashes, eyebrows and even small hairs in the nasal cavity.

After some time, the hairline will recover. First
the toughest hairs show growth by the end
chemotherapeutic course of procedures, therefore differ in some
stiffness. Newly grown hair can change not only its
thickness and structure, but also color. For example, will grow curly and
curly, whereas before they were straight and smooth. They can
become thinner, and may not change at all. Overall, complete
restoration of habitual hair occurs no earlier than 3-6 months. after
the end of the course.

Causes and symptoms of temporary alopecia

Why does chemotherapy cause total hair loss?
that cytotoxic drugs (cytostatics) cause
immediate deceleration / growth arrest of actively dividing tumor
cells and cells of hair follicles. As a result – forced
alopecia, which is temporary.

As mentioned earlier, delayed side effects
chemotherapy at the time of occurrence does not appear earlier than
a few weeks after the start of the course. As a rule, already through
2-3 weeks the patient begins to experience some skin soreness
heads, after which the hair begins to fall out, little by little or immediately
whole shreds. Sometimes, within 1 week full
baldness. Against the background of chemotherapy drugs, hair loss
occurs on all parts of the body, including on the head, on the upper and
lower extremities, in the armpit cavities and in the genital area
organs.

Most patients (especially women) are very upset by
unreasonably considering this to be the most difficult
part of the treatment. Meanwhile, hair starts to grow back through
2-3 months after the whole course of chemotherapy. Sometimes it
occurs earlier (before the end of the full course of treatment).
The likelihood of alopecia is determined by the following
evaluation criteria:

• Type of chemotherapy regimen and dosage of drugs;
• Duration of chemotherapy;
• Biological age and type of patient’s hair.

The most serious factor in the likelihood of adverse events
effects is the total dose of chemotherapy, as well as
the duration of its use during procedures. It is known that
the increased toxicity of various medicines is characterized by their
a combination. For example, the use of platinum causes the development of
Alopecia II — IV degree in 25% of patients, and addition to platinum
paclitaxel causes baldness in 86% of patients.

A more complete picture of adverse reactions that may
occur during the use of combinations of chemotherapy drugs in
part of a single scheme is given in the table.

Phytotherapy – therapeutic hair restoration after “chemistry”

Unfortunately, there are no drugs that give complete
guarantee hair preservation during chemotherapy. However,
follicles after chemotherapy resume their growth, so
hair restoration after chemistry will certainly happen (this is only
It’s a question of time!). This process can be accelerated with drugs.
herbal medicine.

The main way to speed up the process
hair restoration in folk medicine is an improvement
blood supply to the skin of the head. As is known, blood flow
can be caused by the use of the phenolic compound capsaicin,
contained in red hot pepper burning varieties and tinctures.
Use freshly made gruel from a mixture of red peppers in
composition with other herbal ingredients has on the skin
action similar to pepper plaster. For more gentle methods
include masks from fresh onions, with a warming effect.

Massage with hands on the skin
the head also contributes to the warming of its skin. WITH
using the self-massage procedure, finger strokes are performed.
direction from the forehead to the temples and to the back of the head.
The impact should be more or less intense so that the skin
flushed. It is also recommended to slightly move the skin from place to place.
place, acting in different directions.

In addition, to accelerate the growth of new hair, thereby stopping their
loss will help vitamin-mineral complexes of special
actions. (Read more about the benefits of vitamins for hair)

Essential oils refer to the means of external use and
exert their effects locally, so the metabolism
recovers naturally. For example, to provide
the influx of vitamins to the scalp using oil extract
sea ​​buckthorn, as well as grape, nettle, olive and burdock
oils. To enhance the effect of hair growth is recommended to use
them in combination with essential oils of jasmine, rose and ylang-ylang.

Of course, it would not hurt to pre-test
allergies to oils and to observe, further, the recommended
manufacturer dosage.

• It is not necessary to do self-massage of the head if the alopecia wears
  focal character. In this case, the massage can immediately
  provoke loss of remaining hair.
• We should not forget that cancer patients do not
  It is recommended to take vitamins. Thus, acquiring
  complex vitamin preparations, you must first
  consult a doctor.

Preventing hair loss

Even before the hair starts to fall out, it is necessary
ask further their fate, namely: how great
probability of baldness. Psychologically cope with hair loss
help a short haircut or shave the head with an electric shaver,
and also purchase of a wig matched by the color of “native” hair.

Modern progressive methods of treatment can prevent
hair loss with the help of cooling procedures. As it turned out,
exposure to cold (hypothermia) significantly reduces the likelihood
hair loss. A similar effect is due to artificial
reduced blood flow, resulting in hair follicles
exposed to less exposure to chemotherapeutic agents.

Putting on special cooling helmets on wet hair
during the session “chemistry” is an effective procedure in 40-70%
cases. Contained in such a helmet is pre-cooled in
freezer gel should remain on the head for more
30 min. after the procedure. With long sessions possible
replacement of the helmet with a new one. In addition, there are also special
cooling gloves and socks, wearing them during the course
allow the patient to maintain the integrity of the nail plates.

Basic hair care tips

After chemotherapy, it is known that hair regrowth in
women usually only begin 6 weeks after
course completion and requires long and careful care. TO
basic recommendations for hair restoration after chemotherapy
The following applies:

During and after chemotherapy, you must take
rule:

• Use a comb or a soft bristled brush to avoid
  damage the already fragile structure of brittle hair;
• Constant wearing of a rubber cap or a tight tape when
  finding a home;
• Wash hair with warm water and only if necessary (when
  wiping your hair does not twist!);
• Use soft shampoos and conditioners for hair washing.
  normal pH based on plant materials (not
  containing sodium lauryl sulfate);
• Make frequent nutritional masks with ceramides and proteins, and
  also mask masks for hair from olive, nettle or
  burdock oils;
• Wear hats, protecting the scalp in the summer from overheating and
  in winter from severe hypothermia;
• Provide maximum comfort while sleeping, taking advantage of the soft
  touch satin bedding that reduces friction of hair
  o cloth.
• Take adaptogens in the form of infusions of Schisandra Chinese root
  ginseng, prickly Eleutherococcus, pink radioli and other plants, and
  also drink decoctions of oats, barley, flax seed, fruit
  rose hips;

Not recommended for use:

• When combing hair tough comb that can lead
  damage to hair follicles;
• Heating devices (rectifiers, hair dryers and tongs for
  curls);
• Chemical reagents included in hair dyes and
  perm that inhibit lifeless and
  weakened hair follicles.

Most people are in protracted depressions,
feeling sadness or shame about losing hair
bouts of uncontrolled aggression.

In this period of time, timely psychological
patient support. The time will come when the commotion subsides,
associated with hair loss after chemotherapy, and will
remember with a smile!

Opinion of the doctor about hair loss after
chemotherapy