For Chemo patients, sore scalp??

[EZgoi]

It has been 2 1/2 weeks since Hubby's first chemo (which he tolerated very well, thank God) .... we know he will probably lose his hair (???). Hasn't lost it yet, but for the last two days his scalp has been really tender (brushing his hair, laying down on the pillow.) A few hairs come out in the comb, but I'm wondering if this is a symptom that hair loss is imminent. Anyone else have this tender scalp, and if so, was it followed by the hair loss? Thanks for your input.

[AlanMeyer]

I haven't had chemotherapy and can't speak from personal experience but I did find some info on the Internet here: trihealth.com/dailyhealthwi... .

Also, search for ( ice cap for chemotherapy ) to learn about one way to combat hair loss.

Best of luck.

Alan

[DarkEnergy]

Hi,

Yes, this is normal, I'm on my 3rd of six chemo infusion. my scalp was sore from the second week from my FIRST infusion. My hair was falling off in clumps. when touched - my scalp feel sore to touch.

You can imagine the hair follicles under the skin being irritated by the rapid hair loss from chemo.

[StePeteMN]

Is he on Taxotere? It is the most-common chemo for pc. On Taxotere, I lost what hair I was going to lose by three weeks in. Then it came in gray...Then wavy. Now just as it was before chemo. I don't recall scalp pain but I might have had it.

[whatsinaname]

I had a FULL head of hair before chemo (docetaxel). The color of my hair was 80% black, 20% grey. After chemo, I lost about 30% of my hair. After stopping chemo, my hair grew back and all in black. Thus about 60 days after chemo ended, I had a full head of hair, 90% black and 10% grey.

No pain in the scalp whatsoever.

[RustyDakota in reply to whatsinaname]

Funny. I was the opposite. My dark hair fell out leaving some wispy white hair. I immediately looked 30 years older.

And yes, my scalp was sore just before it all fell out. Felt like a bad case of hat head. Happened that way on day 14 both times I did chemo.

[whatsinaname in reply to RustyDakota]

Proving conclusively that the side effects of chemo differ greatly from person to person.

[DenDoc]

Yes the scalp tenderness proceeded the hair loss for me. It stopped when the hair loss stopped. My hair began to regrow before I finished chemo and it is now full and same as before I began.

[vandy69]

I have had 13 infusions of Docetaxel/Carboplatin chemo. Hair loss for me began around Day 17, but no pain in scalp. Got my brother-in-law to cut it off to keep drain from getting clogged.

Best Wishes. Never Give In.

Mark, Atlanta