How do you care for a bald head?

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

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!

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

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.

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)))

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!!

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.

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. Louis.