How do you care for a bald head?

Cass83

I started losing my hair 15 days after my first treatment of taxol/carbo so had it shaved down to nubs lol . I had my 2nd treatment and 15 days after it most of my hair has come out, except for patches in the back. I have small red bumps and my Dr. prescribed mupirocin, which seems to be helping. I am using Johnson baby shampoo when I do wash it. I wondered when it all comes out (assuming it finally will), is there anything to put on it to keep it from getting too dry? I know the baby shampoo is about the most gentle I can find, but I wondered if anyone had something they put on it to help prevent dryness?

When it first starting coming out, I had light "pain" in the back of my head, like a knot or bruise. This time it feels like something is crawling or tickling the sides of my head. I have the medicine on it so I don't scratch it, but it is a very strange sensation. Will that happen the next 4 treatments too? Or when it all comes out does it go away?

Thanks for your input and experience! I love the people on this site and how helpful they are! I hope to help others one day too.

 

Nellasing

Hi Cass83

When I got looking into changing things in my life so I didn't get cancer again, it came to attn how many things we use on a daily basis that are toxic.  All that to say that I stopped using regular shampoo/cream rinse/bath soap and went with natural products.  I use Dr. Bonner soap and since I didn't have hair I just used it all over.  The little red bumps on my head were very painful on and off.  My naturopath suggested using apple cider vinegar with water to dilute and it absolutely did the trick for me.  Once my hair was all out and the bumps were gone then the sensations went away.

Hope you find things that work for you.  (((HUGS)))

Cass83

Nellasing said:

Hi Cass83

When I got looking into changing things in my life so I didn't get cancer again, it came to attn how many things we use on a daily basis that are toxic.  All that to say that I stopped using regular shampoo/cream rinse/bath soap and went with natural products.  I use Dr. Bonner soap and since I didn't have hair I just used it all over.  The little red bumps on my head were very painful on and off.  My naturopath suggested using apple cider vinegar with water to dilute and it absolutely did the trick for me.  Once my hair was all out and the bumps were gone then the sensations went away.

Hope you find things that work for you.  (((HUGS)))

thank you

I have always been a believer in using all natural whenever possible. I have used apple cider vinegar for my face for many years (derm. told me it was Rosecea, I got tired of paying for and using medicine, looked for something natural and found vinegar and it worked!)

I am looking into finding a naturopath for my after cancer care to keep it away. It is hard in Missouri because they don't license them, and I want to find one that is legit.

Lou Ann M

Heads with no hair

My head a hair always hurt before it fell out.  I started using Avon Skin So Soft bath oil on my body when I started chemo and it kept my skin from getting dry and itchy, so I just rubbed a little on my head too. It worked very well.  I am sure baby oil would work , too.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

ConnieSW

Hi, Cass

Actually, not all my hair came out.  I never shaved (had been advised not to) and retained some sparse, scraggly strands.

DrienneB

Bald Head

I used a babywash from Aveeno for my body, but did not touch my head very much while I was losing hair and after it was gone. I showered, but because of the pain and how easily it came out, I just didn't deal with my head too much. It was a mistake. I developed scaly, flaking skin on my scalp and eventually had to buy zinc shampoo to heal it. So keep it clean, and scratch it gently, as you would if washing your hair.

Kvdyson

I just used the same body

I just used the same body wash on my bald head that I use on the rest of my body. Only one time did I experience any kind of bumps (probably from sweating) and I ended up using Nizoral shampoo a couple of times until it cleared up.

The sensitive scalp sensation went away for me once all of the hair was gone. It started noticeably shedding around ten days after the first round. My hubby helped shave it off about two days later. It was rather traumatic that first time. The second time, it was a real relief just to get rid of it!

Hang in there, Cass83. Just remember that losing your hair is a sign that the chemo is doing its job. You can do this!

 

ncg007

Bald head care

I had the head pain too, almost like you could feel every hair follicle.  Alra Therapy lotion and also Alra Mild Conditioning Shampoo producuts worked good for me, both designed for radiation/chemo patients.  I received from hospital cancer center and also found at wig shop.  Another thing to try is Jamaican Black Castor Oil, it moisturizes scalp and also promotes hair growth and you can find at Whole Foods or Beauty supply.

Nancy

Cass83

Good suggestions

Thank you ladies for your suggestions! Kvdyson-that is exactly what my husband said when it started coming out. We know the chemo is working

cindy0519

Hopefully this will make you

Hopefully this will make you chuckle a bit....I used my Clarsonic, face wash, and moisturizer on my head.  When I'd wash my face and use the Clarsonic, I'd just keep going and do my head, then rinse, and moisturize

 

henhill

I didn't experience pain

but my head was really sensitive.  I found that the best thing was to  keep my head covered all the time so that I wasn;t exposed to the elements.  I even wore  a hat to bed and it worked well for me- no skin issues.  Good luck with your chemo

 

beccabtown

I've used Johnson's baby

I've used Johnson's baby shampoo since my hair started falling out. When my scalp hurt I used Johnson's baby nighttime lotion, which I also still use on my feet and legs when they hurt. It cools and calms the skin. My scalp only hurt before the hair started coming out--once it started falling out, the pain went away, and it hasn't hurt again.

derMaus

I use the Alra shampoo, too.

I use the Alra shampoo, too. I started w/baby wash but switched to Alra, which seemed to calm my scalp down somewhat. I cut my hair super short before starting chemo but never shaved it, and after 4 rounds still have peach fuzz everywhere. My scalp itched a lot and it was very painful when I was losing my hair; best thing I found was to go outside with a soft-bristle brush and brush the living heck out of it. That was the only thing that relieved the pain during the intial shed. Now I just scratch good it when it feels itchy, and tons of dried skin comes off under my fingernails but there's no pain. I've had some bumps (folliculitis) but not as many as I would have had if I'd shaved it entirely...or so I tell myself.

Rubyshoes

Jojoba oil is great for skin

And coconut oil. I've used them on itchy medicine induced itch. It does leave a greasy feel.

derMaus

Nellasing said:

Hi Cass83

When I got looking into changing things in my life so I didn't get cancer again, it came to attn how many things we use on a daily basis that are toxic.  All that to say that I stopped using regular shampoo/cream rinse/bath soap and went with natural products.  I use Dr. Bonner soap and since I didn't have hair I just used it all over.  The little red bumps on my head were very painful on and off.  My naturopath suggested using apple cider vinegar with water to dilute and it absolutely did the trick for me.  Once my hair was all out and the bumps were gone then the sensations went away.

Hope you find things that work for you.  (((HUGS)))

The Vinegar Cure

I'd never heard of using vinegar for folliculitis, but after reading this I saturated a cotton ball and dabbed it on head a couple of times. Viola!! No more bumps. Great suggestion, thank you!!

Nellasing

derMaus said:

The Vinegar Cure

I'd never heard of using vinegar for folliculitis, but after reading this I saturated a cotton ball and dabbed it on head a couple of times. Viola!! No more bumps. Great suggestion, thank you!!

I am Thrilled!!!

Yes, it was amazing to me too- something so safe and so cheap- win/win   (((HUGS)))

bluesmama

i'm so glad we're talking about hair.

so i had a buzz cut and it grew out a little before it started to fall off. i just finished my third round of carbo-taxol (3 week cycle). i feel like what remains is being held by a giant dandruff.  

i've been amusing myself (i'm a little strange) by pulling out clumps on the back and sides and keeping the top relatively even. i'm so eager for my hair to grow back but that won't be for at least another two month i would imagine. 

do you ladies think i should just pull out what i can and give my poor scalp a break from the build up and dead hair? my scalp is definitely getting scaly and flaking. i just want to make sure i do what i can to help my hair grow back with a healthy scalp.

derMaus

Brush Off

I pulled and brushed mine when it hurt, which was during the time it was dying and starting to shed. Getting it off made me feel better; I used a soft bristle brush several time a day (outside, not inside) and my scalp felt much better afterwards. I also (gently) scratched the heck out of it because the flakes were bugging me. I haven't had any flaking problems recently, thankfully, and my few little bumps have been relieved by my newly discovered miracle cure, vinegar.

DottieDean

Cass83 said:

thank you

I have always been a believer in using all natural whenever possible. I have used apple cider vinegar for my face for many years (derm. told me it was Rosecea, I got tired of paying for and using medicine, looked for something natural and found vinegar and it worked!)

I am looking into finding a naturopath for my after cancer care to keep it away. It is hard in Missouri because they don't license them, and I want to find one that is legit.

I'm in Missouri, too.  St.

I'm in Missouri, too.  St. Louis.  

Cass83

Johnsons Baby Shampoo Worked

I went with the Johnson's Baby Shampoo, and even now with my hair back in, I am still using it! I am keeping it short so it works well. I like not having to blow dry or style it. Wash, comb, go!

Cass83

DottieDean said:

I'm in Missouri, too.  St.

I'm in Missouri, too.  St. Louis.  

Hi Fellow Missourian!

I wish you were closer! I don't get to St. Louis very often. Would love to offer you support though