hair woe

[Le-gra143]

hi everyone

Had my first chemo 2weeks ago

My hair seems to be coming out now

Just wondering did anyone have scalp pain ?

marie

[Yorkiepudd]

Hi Marie, yes I had scalp pain similar to when you had you hair up for too long/too tightly. I shaved mine then rather than have patchy hair (my choice) and the discomfort went.

Beware the first shower though, it really tickles your head! Xx

[Le-gra143 in reply to Yorkiepudd]

thanks yorkiepudd didn’t know what it was but that is exactly how it feels

Thank u for reply

[Melnie]

yes I had severe nerve pain on day 13 and 14 when day 14 meant it all came out my husband shaved my head then the pain stopped... it was awful and we both cried in pain with him shaving me seeing me cry, very upsetting but at least pain stopped... good luck

[Le-gra143 in reply to Melnie]

hi melnie

Ahhhh really u just took control over it. I don’t know what I’m feeling I’m sure that was a awful day for u I’m really frightened of it

I’m being stupid aren’t I u would think I’d do anything to get rid of pain but I’m afraid to shave it off

I don’t know why I’m holding on. I don’t think I want everyone to know I’m sick or maybe I’m vain about my hair.

Am I in denial or am I just afraid ?

[Atai in reply to Le-gra143]

hi lovely. I actually found it very empowering to shave my hair, I did it myself. And it was weird too of course, because it is very much putting the reality of your current health situation out there for everyone to see. But it’s also a feeling of having some control over what’s happening! X

[Melnie in reply to Le-gra143]

you may be feeling both but i couldnt stand the pain, it was instant relief when it was off, I played around with various wigs and scarfs to give me the feeling of less nakedness around my face - it's quite fun playing with scarfs i'll show you some pictures

[Melnie in reply to Le-gra143]

not sure its letting me load them or taking a long time

[Melnie in reply to Le-gra143]

the hardest thing was how sore your eyes get when you lose your lashes

[Hidden]

Hi. Had terrible sensitive scalp after my 2nd chemo, pain was unbearable. Watching my hair fall out was so upsetting so I braved the shave, the relief was amazing and I now wash my hair with lavender wash and it's so relaxing

[Newbery3]

Yes! And itchy scalp after that! It's really annoying but it'll pass though. X

[kadabra12]

Hi yea one of the sideceff3cts of the chemotherapy is when it reaches the hair follicles a d your head is so tender. The best thing to do at this stage is either shave it off or have it cut short as it reduced the pain slightly. It will pass for sure in the next few weeks l. It time I left it and at the hospital at the end of my 2nd chemotherapy I had booked in to have it shaved off, this time I had it shaved off before. Moreso due to me washing it and the loose hair tangled in with my hair that wasn't ready yet and I ended up with 2 balls of mass on my head.

[Riverflo]

Hi Marie, yes definitely shave it. Feels much less sensitive after.And get a hat because your head skin isn't used to the sun and mine was sensitive to sun, heat and cold.

It's all pretty depressing initially but please believe that you'll get used to it and it will grow back.

Martine x

[Supermary]

Hi

I never shaved it

I cut my long hair (mid back length originally) short

During my baseline treatment ( 6 rounds of carbo / taxol) 3 hours each I cold capped

I wore caps , beanies and pretty scarfs

yes my scalp felt a little funny but not bad

Yes it fell out but not all and when I had a break after baseline it grew in . Not nearly as thick but it grew back in

Then I recurred and went on ENHERTU chemo infusions 30 minutes every 3 weeks which has a 50% hair loss so back I went to cold cap PAXMAN which I’ve been doing for two years

My hair had some light shedding but has not fallen out

It’s a journey but if you use good products and cold cap you can save a lot of hair follicles

[SKpaints1]

yes i had a very sore and tender scalp.. once all my hair fell out i wore a very soft head wrap, made from bamboo fibre, i used aveeno cream in scalp to side and soo dryness. Hope you will be ok

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Good morning Marie

Thank you for your post. I was really sorry to hear that you have been experiencing scalp pain during hair loss after chemotherapy. I can see that many members of the forum community have shared their experiences with you which I hope has been helpful.

I wanted to share a resource all about scalp care from Cancer Hair Care - who are the UK’s leading hair loss support charity: cancerhaircare.co.uk/scalp-...

This provides some information about sensitivity and irritation during initial hair fall: ‘Some people say that their scalp feels more sensitive, sore or itchy especially just before and during the initial hair fall. Whilst it may not feel very pleasant, this is normal and usually subsides after a few days.’

Cancer Hair Care have lots of other information and support relating to hair loss available, details of which can be found here on their website: cancerhaircare.co.uk/

I also wanted to let you know about a workshop with another charity called Look Good Feel Better all about hair loss, scalp care and new hair growth. This workshop is free of charge and covers a range of subjects including scalp issues, daily scalp care, moisturising and safe scalp massage. More details can be found here on the Look Good Feel Better website: lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/ha... . We often hear very positive feedback about the Look Good Feel Better workshops from our members.

I hope this information is useful and that your scalp pain eases very soon. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like to talk things through. We’re here Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm, to help with queries or just have a chat about anything that’s on your mind. You can message us directly through this forum, email us via [e-mail] or give us a call on 0800 008 7054.

Best wishes

Annie – Ovacome Support

[Le-gra143 in reply to OvacomeSupport]

thank you very much Annie

I will look at it

They ladies have been very helpful

Regards marie

[Trickysite]

I have lost my hair twice due to different cancers. I am a wig wearer and my attitude to cancer hair loss is Yaaboo! I buy the most glamorous wigs I can find and feel really good. I think Dolly Parton/Joan Collins in my head. If they can do it, so can I! Simply Wigs and Valentines are my recommended websites. Man made fibres are best. It's a bit of trial and error but I think highlighted and rooted wigs look less blocky than a single colour. I have been known to felt tip pen in lowlights.... Best wishes, Emma xx As Dolly Parton answered when asked how long it takes to do her hair - "I don't know. I'm never there!".

[Le-gra143 in reply to Trickysite]

hahahaha that’s brilliant love it

Thank u you made me laugh xxxx

[Leniko]

yes indeed. My hair was falling out, it was disturbing and traumatic. I decided to cut it very short. My scalp was very tender. I did buy a wig, but turbans were more comfortable. No one wants to lose their hair. I lost mine twice. Just tell yourself it’s time limited, and it will grow back. 😘

[Mommoo65]

The scalp pain surprised me as I wasn’t expecting it. I was warned about the hair loss but not the weird pain. It started a few weeks after my first chemo treatment.

I ended up having a head shaving party with my 3 adult daughters and my two grandsons. I let my grandsons hold the clippers for a bit. They were 9 and 6 so it was fun for them. It took away any fear they might have seeing their grandma suddenly bald one day.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who mourned their long, glorious hair lying on the floor but weirdly enough, I ended up loving my baldness! What freedom! Lol

[Le-gra143 in reply to Mommoo65]

yes I am hoping for that too mommoo

I’m afraid of the look and how my small grandchild will react .my husband wants to cut his too in support