sorry shift keys not working. i have had ra for over 20 yrs. left hand ulnar deviated, rt. hand in claw. cannot raise arms.
i have a lot of difficulty washing my hair.
does anyone have any suggestions as to how i can overcome this. it makes me so miserable. my hair is very fine and not much of it so i am afraid to use a brush on wet hair.
i am usually pretty adept at ideas but this has defeated me.
how miserable! Unless I'm outdoors I totally detest feeling grubby and it drags me down hugely so quite understand that this is important for you.
I don't know much about it, but hopefully others will. However, I just had a quick look online and there are things to help like no-rinse shower caps and long handled head massage brushes - seems the idea is that you pop the cap on your head and massage gently to clean hair. Whether this works or not I have not a clue, but just wanted to express sympathy as it's this sort of things that is ignored by rheumies that make such a difference to us.
I can't get my hands up to reach my head so I wash my hair seperatly by using one of those things you attach to plugs and I wash my hair over the bath, it's the only way I can reach my head to shampoo it 
i use a tangle teezer on my wet hair it makes brushing wet hair a breeze. they have them on ebay for sale they dont break your hair look at the shapes of them the larger ones are fab for RA hands to hold.
use a towel that takes the moisture from the hair so needs less blow drying
a sports towel you can get ones for your head this will mean less time drying it.
i use a hair brush dryer... the one i have is called 'big hair by babyless' the brush goes round so i only need one hand... also adds volume to fine hair so win win for you. washing you hair would be easy in a shower lookinto getting a shower fitted much easier than trying to do over the bath surley? if your in a rental ask the landlord explain why maybe.
maybe dry shampoo betwen washes? not something i use but just a thought.
what about ask your local salons do they have a trainee needing models
Haven't you got a friend to wash your hair for you? Or there are mobile hair dressers.
I did wonder if you could manage to get the shampoo on your head and then just stand in the shower to wash it off. Maybe put some shampoo in a bowl and stick your head in it or, if you can lift your arm high enough to pour some shampoo over? I do hope you find a solution. There must be someone near you who would be happy to help?
xx
I have same problem I wash my hair under shower once a week. Very difficult to dry it, I wrap towel round my head and wait a while before brushing and leaving it to dry, but my answer is to wear a wig. I have 2 lovely short dark blonde wigs, I wear them all the time. I cant lift my right arm to put a pony tail in my hair or tong it so I just wear wigs. They slip on easily. Answer to my prayers anyway, saves depending on others.
I'm also in the same predicament I wash it in the shower with a long handled massage brush which I bought on line, It does the job brilliantly.
Hope you find this useful.
Hi I have my hair cut v short I have had it like this for years. People say it does suit me, fortunately! I couldn't use a hairdryer or straighteners due to pain in my hands.
I have problems with my hands, three lots of surgery on them, and still have pain.
In the last couple of years I have had highlights in my hair as well which dries it up a bit so it's not as greasy! which might help.
I occasionally use dry shampoo which does help as well.
Bev
I go to hairdresser once a week. £15. Can use pip money if short of cash.
I forgot to say that my bathrobe has a hood (white company) so that dries it mainly
I think you should ask for a home visit from an occupational therapist who will be able to give you lots of good advice on aids and adaptations and alternatives to wash and wet shampoo. They may have lots of ideas that could help with other areas of daily living too.
As I live on my own, after an accident I needed assistance for a couple of months with personal care. I had carers coming in first thing in the morning for 15 to 30 minutes to help me with to wash and basic food prep such as peeling veg for use later in the day. I am a very independent and proud person but the carers who came in were so good and experienced they soon but me at my ease and I quickly overcame my embarrassment. I am back to living independently again but struggle with some things; I keep my hair short so that it is easier to keep clean and tidy. My hairdresser knows that I can't use hair dryers and struggle with it, so she styles my hair so that it needs little attention. It's as short and layered as "M's" in the Bond movies.
If you find it difficult to get out to the hairdressers or manage in a shower then may be some personal assistance once or twice a week is something to consider.
Hope you come up with a solution to suit you out of all these helpful responses.
Marilyn X
hi sorry your having a major problem, found this on the nhs page
The beauty body-care range is ergonomically designed and carefull balanced to provide maximum power with minimal effort and strain.
Each product has a unique shape that makes it easier to reach further.
The hair washer is shaped to ensure it reaches all over the head and massages the entire scalp, substituting the fingers when shampooing.
Both the body and the back washers have removable cloths that wash effectively without absorbing water, ensuring they stay light and balanced even when wet.
Hairwasher length: 300mm; weight: 80g
(code: AA1839)
welcomemobility.co.uk/Produ...
this is the web page hope its of some help warmest Craig
When I had really bad arms years ago, someone suggested putting the shampoo onto one of those thin sponge cloths (the type about 4 x 6 inches and half an inch thick), slapping it onto my head, and then holding my sponge pad with my arms quite close to my body without really moving them much, just gently move my head around. Its quite amazing how well the shampoo gets worked in with minimal effort.
I am unable to raise my arms to wash/dry my hair. I'm lucky that I have a carer (through local council Direct Payment scheme) who is here most days and does it for me. I have tried the item mentioned above (hair washer) and to be quite honest found it useless!! If you're unable to raise your arms you need to put the shampoo on to this - and, well,it just slides off before you can get it to the head! I do have long handled angled combs and brush so I can at least give my hair a comb. There is also a hairdryer stand available which you could just sit in front of and use a long handled brush to dry. I know it is awful not to be able to these things for yourself. I used to love my makeup but haven't used it for a few years now because of the arm raising issue - and I really miss it!
I know how you all feel. i now have a mobile hair dresser. i manage a bit of makeup, but how i long to fasten a bra, or put in a pair of ear rings. pat
thank you everyone for your replies, sorry can't answer you all individually, am in a bad way at moment as rheumy wants me off pred. in order to assess my da. next wednesday.
hair wash problem solved, by spreading shampoo on sponge cloth and moving sponge cloth over hair as suggested by earthwitch
thank you all so much for your support.
siskin
Oh yeah, I'd love to be able to fasten my bra and put earrings in again instead of relying on someone to do it for me - its great to have a bit of independence
Well you need an advice of some expert. I have a problem with hair too but it can be solved very easy. I use only quality shampo and a professional hair dryer ( I ordered on qbicwashrooms.co.uk/ ). Try a hair dryer that can be mounted in a wall.
Thank you for replying. Have made a note of link, but do not need dryer at the moment, I am 77 and hair so thin and fine it is dry before the rest of me. My friend needs a dryer so will contact her. My problem was getting the shampoo on my hair and rubbing it in. Solved now by using flat sponge which I can hold at corners and pull back and forth and doesn't tangle hair.
Regards.
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