A Guide To Hair Loss
Cancer Treatment and Hair Loss
Hair loss is difficult to predict for chemotherapy patients. Even when taking the same drugs, different women may or may not lose their hair. In addition to the hair on their heads, women may lose eyebrow, eyelash, and facial, pubic, underarm and leg hair. If hair loss does occur, it most often begins within two weeks after the first chemotherapy infusion. Download a full chemotherapy guide to hair loss.
Alopecia and Hair Loss
Hair is a crowning glory and an important part of a woman’s identity but for more than 5 million people in the United States who suffer from hair loss, called alopecia. Hairloss can have a profound negative impact on their self image. Causes of hair loss and thinning hair may include illness, skin disorders, chemicals, medications, as well as stress, hormone deficiency, poor diet or heriditary traits. Alopecia occurs in females of all ages, but young persons are often most affected. Below are the most common forms of alopecia found in women...
Andogenetic Alopecia is most commonly called male or female pattern baldness and is said to be caused by a derivative of the male hormone testosterone called DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) and can be sometimes by treated with prescription medicine or blood testing.
Telogen Effluvium is caused when your body goes through something traumatic like extreme stress, major surgery, or child birth and usually temporary.
Anagen Effluvium is caused when something like Chemotherapy interrupts the hair follicles production and is usually temporary.
Alopecia Areata is the most common variation of alopecia and usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth, bald patches.
Alopecia Totalis is total loss of hair on the scalp.
Alopecia Universalis is the rarest from of alopecia and is the loss of hair over the entire scalp and body.
Alopecia is a mysterious illness. Many alopecia sufferers never know why they lose their hair or why it grows back. In all forms of alopecia, the hair follicles remain alive and are ready to resume normal hair production. Hair loss can be temporary or permanent. In some cases, hair regrowth may occur even without treatment and even after many years. In some rare cases, it could even occur seasonally.
Psychological reactions to alopecia can include a variety of feelings and frustrations for those who suffer from the disease, as well as for family members. After discovering hair loss, it’s not uncommon for women to feel a sense of loss and grief. They may become withdrawn and isolate themselves for fear that others may find out they have a hairloss problem. They may be angry and embarrassed about their situation, and sadness and depression may set in. It is important to know that you are not alone and their are many professionals and wonderful web forums available to discuss and research your concerns and issues.