Alopecia and Chemotherapy



                                                 

Front Knot Turban

 

 

When a person hears the word “cancer”, one of the first things she thinks of is “good-bye beautiful hair”!    When a person is told she have “alopecia”, her reaction is “what?”.      Although unlike cancer, alopecia is not life threatening, it is just- if not more - traumatizing.      

     With My-S-Cap I have the privilege of talking with beautiful women who were informed that they have been diagnosed with cancer, and will be going through chemo.    After the initial shock, they contact me for turbans that are both pretty and comfortable.   They are positive women of all ages who are determined to beat the cancer.    As I tell them; it is a journey and they will get through it.   A year later they again have a head of hair and a totally different outlook on life.

      This week two beautiful women living on opposite ends of the USA (CA & NY) contacted me for headwear.   What made this unique was that they both had alopecia.    CA gal (alopecia areata univeralis – total loss of all body hair, and NY gal ( alopecia areata).    My first reaction was “what is it ???”.    After listening to their stories, I decided that I needed to not only educate myself, but to write a blog entry.

   

      Alopecia in simple terms means baldness, but not just the TV ad type baldness.  It is an autoimmune disease that thinks the body’s hair follicles will hurt the body.   There isn’t a cure.  It may go away but can come back.   Alopecia areata is most common in children under 20, but anyone can get it.  About 10% will never grow hair again; which means 90% will grow their hair back in a few months.  Locks of Love  Website: http://www.locksoflove.org  provides custom hairpieces to financially  disadvantaged children under the age of 21 with long-term medical hair loss.

Bandana with Liner

       Aside from the loss of body hair, there are no physical side effects.  It won’t kill you, but it will definitely change your self-esteem and body image.    I remember my grandson coming home in tears where the hair dresser confused him with another boy, and ended up shaving his head!!!!   Luckily his hair grew back.  People with alopecia aren’t that lucky.    The only treatment I can think of is to pamper yourself.    Purchase that expensive make-up or pretty outfit.   I found this helpline link:   http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/alopecia-areata-helpline.  There may be others out there.

 

      3-Seam     

        My CA friend contacted me because she said that her beautiful human hair wig  http://peggyknight.com/  that she can swim in was just too HOT.   The My-S-Cap style that she fell in love with was the “Bandana with liner”  http://etsy.me/1qrZbzv .    She liked that it allowed the air to get to her neck.   Wigs are great for dealing  with chemo and alopecia, but for around the house and every day -   soft comfortable headwear is the way to go      My NY friend likes the “3-seams turban”  http://etsy.me/1qKkBqe .   She had just recently been diagnosed with alopecia.    In both situations the ladies are trying to make the best of a not so pleasant situation.     From what I hear from ladies dealing with cancer and alopecia, they just want to blend in.    My CA friend told her husband that she would like to have a t-shirt with “Just Smile” written across the front.    She was so tired of people feeling sorry for or asking her questions.    I don’t think that is too much to ask.

    Every piece of headwear that I make is designed for individuals dealing with a sensitive scalp.  The first test is softness, then easy care.  Every piece of fabric purchased has to withstand a trip through the washing machine and dryer.  I hat "hand washed or dry clean items".  No matter what the tags reads.... they go in my washing machine too!

       If you or someone you know is dealing with hair loss or is in need of headwear, please direct them to www.myscap.etsy.com .   Eleven different headwear styles are available with over 350 listings.  If you can't find something you want ........ just ask.  Life is too short not to help make a difference in someone's life.  It doesn't take much to brighten one's day.