Hair Loss and Burning, Itchy Scalp

[TeresaT]

I am in my 16th week of treatment.  Within the last three weeks, my scalp is on fire and is unbearable itchy.  My hair is also breaking off and "shedding".  I had alot of hair, so I am the only one that notices the thinning.  Does this condition stop after a while.  Last month my new symptom was riba rash, which is still lingering.  Right now I need to stop my scalp from itching, it's interfering in my job.  I can't scratch like a dog all day at work.  Any suggestions?

[charm27]

Unfortunately I  lost 80 %  of my hair. Even my hepatologist said I had it pretty bad..
My forehead WAS HUGE. I also had SEVERE plaque in my head and couldnt get rid of it no matter what was given to me. 3 Weeks after tx ended the plaque slowly went away. I also had the itch starting at around week 8 thru week 55. I had lots of hair too. The only think that helped a little was only washing it once a week and having the few strands on my head to dry naturally. Wish I could give you a cure all.
I tried everthing nothing helped..besides I was to busy feeling sick to worry about my hair. Now 6 month post its all grown back.
Feels darn good!
I wish you good luck and hope it subsides.
Charm

[TeresaT]

thanks and good luck to you

[Tippyclubb]

Been on tx for 24 weeks and it starting thinning around the 16th week also.  A lot of hair loss but mine was thick also.  No itching of the scalp but does has that burning feeling.  I have no ideal of what you can do to stop the scalp itching.

My hair is very dry and the last 6 weeks I am washing it every other week.  Sounds gross I know but it's not oily when I do wash it.  The only thing I found helped with the dryness is a glossing polish with aloe and oils.  Rub it in after washing and your hair is not so dry and feels good.  I think the oils helped stop the breakage.  The bottle says you only need a few drops but I am putting two tablespoons through my hair.  It will look oily for a few hours but it will dry up and be shiny and silky.

Since the hair loss started I have not done anything to my hair.  No hot irons, blow drying or coloring.  Darn my gray roots are around 2 inches long, or more.  Its an awful look so I do not leave the house without a hat.  

Meakea lost so much hair she ended up buying a wig to wear to work so that's another option.

[nygirl7]

Try goldbond triple threat anti itch medicated lotion. Green bottle red top. It has helped a whole lot of us in here. IF you can't find that try anything else that is nice and thick because you don't want it to wear off. In fact do it several times a day. The lotion helps but you have to keep using it even after the itching stops or it will come right back. A doctor on tv said last week that ribarash is really like an autoimmune eczema that people get from meds and he said the same thing - use a good thick lotion. It worked, I tried every lotion out there and found that one worked the best for me.

As for your hair - have you had your thyroid checked yet?  Only asking becaUse that can exacerbate the hair loss. I lost about 75 - 80% of mine from breaking off and falling out. I finally bought some wigs on ebay because I work in corporate in the beauty industry and felt like a grey bald vampire. They made me feel better.  Other than that a lot of women cut their hair short to avoid some of the problem.........but remember the hair WILL grow back extremely fast and thick as soon as you stop t reatment.

[nygirl7]

Oh yeah does the burning feel like when you put a ponytail in really right for too long and then take it out? You know that feeling? That's how mine felt.

[TeresaT]

I think I made the mistake of coloring my hair on Saturday which made the situation worse.  Now I know not to color my hair until the tx is over, which for me is next year.  I don't know how long I'll be able to take the grey and wearing a hat in the Summer gets pretty hot.  Oh well, life could be worse.  Stay well

[TeresaT]

I feel as though an army of red ants are crawling and biting my scalp.

[TeresaT]

Thanks for the info on the Bond lotion.  I've been reading about that alot.  

I had my thyroid checked and its ok.  I also work in a fashion oriented business so I'm not comfortable being grey or bald.  If it continues, I will definitely be buying wigs.

[newleaf09]

Get a humidifier for the riba rash. Oatmeal bath is about the best temporary relief of itching, but a lot of the lotions are good.  You really can wash only once a week, you can't produce enough oil to make that old teenage oily scalp.  Try the suggestions of otherswho had itchy scalp.

I'm afraid that the hair loss doesn't stop until after TX ends, though it can lighten up a little at times or worsen at times.  You can't really stop it but it will bug you less if you don't see it always in the brush, the drain, floor after blowdrying,so less blowing, brushing and washing.  You'll just need to use a critical eye on yourself to decide if it is SO noticeable that you need a hairstyle change or more.   Lots of people have naturally thin hair.  Strangers don't know that you were a thick-maned beauty last year.

[YuK]

I continued coloring mine but only once every 8-9 wks by a professional.  It now grows very slow, if at all in spots.  I lost a ton of hair, came out in chucks in the beginning.  I wash it and deep condition it - but only every 4 or 5 days.  Used to wash my hair daily.  I've used olive oil  & coconut oil prior to washing.  After washing, while still damp, I rub Lamisil on my scalp - works great and it's mild.  Lamisil is an athletes foot treatment but this particular product has an ingredient that combats scalp dermititis and you can get it over the counter.  I hate the way my hair looks (what's left) but it's not iching anymore.

I'm also taking claritin in the morn and benedryl at night for the rash iching.  It seems to help me with the restlessness I experience, as well.

Hopefully, something will work well for you.

[Isobella]

My hair loss and scalp troubles started about the same time..from about week 17 thru week 22.  

I only lost about 10%.  I just did shot #48 and when I shampooed last night, I was being kinda rough just to see if any would come out....none.  I've colored my hair every 4 weeks during tx.

My point is, it may not get worse or last throughout your tx.  We are all different.  

For me....I used Nioxin products.  Even before it started bothering me.  Once I got to the point you are....I washed only once a week. My hairdresser also had a humidifing (sp) mister she would use to moisturize my scalp. Felt really good.

Like Tippy said...you're not producing the oils like before because you are so dehydrated, so it sounds worse that it really is. (i even stopped sweating until about week 40) I also used a dry shampoo called Ojon.  Gave me body and smelled nice, too. Also coconut oil sometimes before washing.

I also quit blow drying but did use the flat iron.

I had the itchies and also that ponytail feeling NYGirl described.

I take atarax for the itching.  It helps me sleep and isn't as drying as benedryl may be.

Think moisture and do everything you can to keep it.  Less bathing, lots of lotions, not lots of additives. Drink lots of water.

A humidifer is a great idea as it keeps the air moist. I'm a fan because it keeps me from waking up with a sore throat.

As you can see, between us we have tried a bunch of different things....hopefully something here will help you.

I will say I had my eye on a pretty cool wig in case I needed it....always wanted to try life as a redhead ; )

Good luck to you

Isobella

[annieCinMD]

I searched this forum on dandruff and came up with T-Gel shampoo from Neutrogena. I was scratching and flaking like crazy before my hair started falling out. The T-Gel is kind of stinky but it got the itching and flaking down to a slow crawl. I found that these meds can cause seborrheic dermatitis and plain dandruff shampoo won't help. T-Gel has  tar and coal in it.

[jdwithhcv]

I lost hair from about week 16 to about week 32.  My hair loss did not continue throughout treatment.  Everyone is different.  I could always tell when I was going to lose a lot of hair because my scalp would start to hurt, as if I had my hair up in a tight ponytail for a long time.  Whenever I got that feeling, withing a day or two I would lose a lot of hair.  Shampooing seemed to make it worse, so I did not wash my hair any more than absolutely necessary during that time.  It was horrifying when I did shampoo, my hair came out in double handfuls and the shower drain would trap enough hair to make a small wig!

[Rain6866]

I found on this board about a shampoo and conditioner/scalp treatment called Nioxen. It helps my already thin hair look fuller. I got both HUGE bottles for like $32 at my hair dressers. The conditioner feels like adding icy hot to my head but Ive had no dandruff or anything like that. My hair is coming out but it appears fuller and I wash it like 3 times a week. Seems the longer I dont wash my hair the more I lose. But my hair has always been like that.

Hope this helps. I think the hair loss is my biggest fear. 8 More shots to go and Im done. Im UND so its worth it. Im just praying for SVR!