Hi again everyone, I did ask in the thread about loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, whether anyone knew why chemo and hair loss causes your scalp to hurt, as someone else on there mentioned it, but I wanted to ask in a specific thread in case someone knows who is not responding about the eyebrows thing.
I had a grade zero a week ago as I couldn’t even get away with a grade 7 crop any more. Sometimes I am OK but sometimes my scalp really hurts, a sort of ache rather than the soreness that would come from irritation or infection. Other times it itches like crazy and I have to resist temptation to scratch as it only makes it worse. Obviously wigs can make you itchy but I am finding my wig OK, it is often when I’m going commando and at night that it is worse.
Any idea why this is, does it get better (I had second FEC last monday) and anything I could be putting on my head that would soothe it?
Hi Clarabel
The achey head I believe is a result of lack of blood supply to your hair follicles, coupled with a dull pain as the root detaches. If your scalp gets dry or itchy, natural oils such asalmond or olive oil, or an unperfumed moisturiser are good for massaging the scalp. Also,try using pillowcases that are made from 100% natural fibres (cotton or linen) - nylon and polyester can irritate the scalp.
Hope this helps - I’ve had 4 x fec (lost my hair day 16 after 1st one, 20 rads sessions and started 4 x tax on 2 April - now have a good 1/2 inch of hair all over !!
take care
margaret x
Thanks Margaret, that explains it. If I know why something is happening I feel more at ease even if it’s still an unpleasant sensation.
I swear by the Body Shop Vitamin E moisturiser and have now started continuing it onto my scalp as I apply it to my face day and night, which was surreal at first but I think it is helping with the dryness.
Glad to hear you are getting through your treatment and your hair is coming back. I am just hoping to be back to the equivalent of grade 7 by the time we go on holiday which I think will be mid to late august, just so I don’t have to wear scarves and wigs all the time.
I don’t give a bugger about walking around bald, I actually think I look cracking with no hair and my boyfriend agrees and I can tell he isn’t just lying to spare my feelings, But it is other people that seem to have a problem with bald women.
Oh how right you are Clarabel - I’ve never covered my head (except outside in the really cold weather) - and I have never had a problem with the bald head - it’s the people staring that have the problem!
I’m hoping that the tax doesn’t make what little hair i’ve got fall out - I’m due to finish the first week of June, and my eldest daughter gets married on 26 July - it would be nice to have some hair for the wedding lol instead of a shiny head !!
My hubby is same as your b/f - says I should keep it this short cos he thinks it suits me (youngest daughter doesn’t share the same opinion unfortunately lol - mind she’s only 10!)
take care
Margaret x
Margaret,
I don’t actually care if people think I look “funny” or assume a member of the BNP (I have a boyfriend who is half Asian so it should be obvious I am neither of the above LOL) I just don’t like it when I can see people’s minds working and they are clearly thinking “oh god she must be ill, is she dying, what do I say, do I ask her or do I pretend I haven’t noticed”
On the other hand I get bloody sick of explaining it to everyone. As I said before pity we can’t have a t-shirt.
Haha - I actually do have the t-shirt Clarabel - several of them !!
I bought them from an american company - can’t for the life of me remember the name of it, but if you google slogan t-shirts you’re sure to get them - I have ones that say:
‘Does this T-shirt make my head look bald?’
‘Club Med Chemo’ (with lovely palm trees & sunset)
‘One is real One is false - but who cares, I’m alive’
‘This is my chemo kicking, are kicking, cancer fighting t-shirt’
They usually provoke a better response than the bald head used to lol