how common is hair Loss on the Interferon Traetment

[sally123684]

Hey I start my shots this friday and was reading alot of the post here.  I know that this may sound very weak but I am so scared of losing my hair.  How common is this side affect?

[kaleigh89]

wow that is the 1st time ive heard that hair grew in straighter than before.10 10 10 i was admitted to a hospital..my stay was four months long..when i was released..my hair had been falling out for these 4 months..i was too hopped up onthe morphine to notice..when the hair grew back....well it was not straingt any longer...now i have kinky hair....lol...i start my treatment in dec 2012...imaybe when my hair falls out again...it will be straight again....wouldnt that be some thing....lol good luck to every one.....smile

[JasmineT]

My scalp itched and burned like crazy on incivek.  I took a large scoop of coconut oil (found at your grocer near the shortening), microwaved it for 10 seconds, let it cool to the touch but stay liquid, wrapped a towel around my shoulders and poured this over my scalp and throughout my hair.  I would put a towel on my pillow and sleep with it or try to leave it on for at least an hour.  This eliminated the itching for me for 3 days at a time.  Guess it moisturizes my scalp.

When incivek was over the burning stopped and the itch reduced to a nuisance so I switched to olive oil.  I put this on half an hour before I showered.  I had to continue this for a couple months post tx.

I did not lose too much hair. Others could not notice, although I did.  Think keeping my scalp moist and itch free helped.  It certainly helped my sanity because it itched and burned like crazy on incivek.  You may wish to try the olive oil, it's simple to do and may help.

[momof2jewels]

I know exactly what you mean about the scalp itching!  I've had my daughter check my head for lice, too!!  I find that if I end my shower with cool water on my head it gives a little relief.  My hair is thinning a little but I'm only on shot #12/28.  I sure hope the itching goes away in a timely manner once treatment is over.  It's like watching an episode of Infested every day!  Hang in there.
robbijo

[orphanedhawk]

Treatment does weird things to our skin including our scalp. Itching can be part of it being super dry. Try some coconut or olive oil.

When I joined this forum, I was caring for an orphaned hawk, hence the name.
She is pictured in my avatar.

[TCisClear]

LOL i was just trippin because my head NEVER itches !   Thank you. Why are you orphaned?

[orphanedhawk]

Irritation is a major side effect of hep c treatment as is hair loss.
Its three months since I stopped treatment. It took about 8 weeks for my hair to stop falling out. It just slowly fell out out less and less. I got a short cut which looks good and makes me feel like my hair is thick again. You can see little hairs about 2-3 inches long, growing back in.

It does take some time for the meds to clear out of our system. Three weeks is nothing. The best thing to do is eat well, continue to drink lots of water and be patient.
And BTW: lice don't make your hair fall out !