What to do if you lose hair after chemotherapy

Hair loss after chemotherapy is a major blow to female patients, which is difficult to accept both physically and psychologically. Hair loss after chemotherapy is caused by the side effects of chemotherapy drugs, but not every chemotherapy will adjust the hair, and not every chemotherapy will cause all the hair to fall out. Therefore, patients who are afraid of hair loss after chemotherapy and shave their heads can consult a doctor before taking any measures to deal with their hair.

There are many side effects after chemotherapy, including nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation, etc. Hair loss is a more direct way of appearance, so many patients often wear hats or wigs to cover up the embarrassment caused by hair loss. In fact, this is wrong. It will make the scalp breathe poorly, causing more hair to fall out or difficult to grow. Here are some ways to deal with hair loss after chemotherapy.

1 During chemotherapy, apply cold compresses on the head or wear an ice cap to cool the local skin, reduce blood flow to the scalp, prevent drugs from circulating to the hair follicles, and reduce damage to the hair follicles by chemotherapy drugs.

2 Adjust your mindset. Due to excessive stress and the inability to properly resolve stress, psychological conditions such as tension and irritability may occur, which results in the body being unable to supply the hair with the necessary nutrients and leads to massive hair loss.

3. Supplement vitamin E. Vitamin E can resist hair aging, promote cell division and make hair grow. You can eat more fresh lettuce, cabbage, black sesame seeds, etc.

4. Supplement selenium, such as Selenium Weikang chewable tablets, to strengthen selenium supplementation, which can improve the immunity of chemotherapy patients, prevent side effects such as hair loss, and enhance the effect of chemotherapy.

Recommend 4 medicated diets suitable for post-chemotherapy

Fig Stew

Wash and cut 100 grams of fresh figs and 100 grams of lean pork into pieces. Put them into a pot with appropriate amount of water and seasoning. Cook until the meat is tender. Drink the soup and eat the meat. It is used to treat dry mouth and sore throat after chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, reducing swelling and detoxifying.

Olive and monk fruit soup

30 grams of olives, 1 monk fruit; put the two items in a pot, add clean water, boil and drink the water. Clears away heat, detoxifies, relieves throat pain and eliminates phlegm.

Astragalus stewed duck

20 grams of Astragalus and 200 grams of duck, stew together until cooked. It has the effects of tonifying the middle and replenishing qi, nourishing yin and nourishing the stomach; it is suitable for people with both qi and yin deficiency.

Chinese Yam and Lotus Root Soup

30 grams of yam, 30 grams of lotus seeds (core removed), and 30 grams of coix seeds, add appropriate amount of water, simmer over low heat, add a little white sugar, take once a day for 15 days. It is used to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma at all stages due to spleen deficiency, and has the effects of strengthening the spleen and replenishing Qi, clearing the heart and calming the mind.

If you lose hair after chemotherapy, you can eat more nutritious foods to enhance your body's resistance and immunity. For example, carrots, wolfberries, pine nuts, hazelnuts, fish, eggs, ribs and animal livers can help relieve the symptoms of hair loss after chemotherapy. In addition, combing your hair more often can promote blood circulation in the scalp, which is also beneficial to hair growth.