hair loss with chemo

I got my hair shaved (electric razor) soon after the first hair "clump" came out. We opted to not shave w/ shave crm/razor at that time. My head is still tender after 2 wks! The stubble left actually seems to be making it worse--it gets stuck in scarves, wig, hats, etc. I now have "bumps" and pimply things. I want to get this stubble shaved off but realize I may have to wait for the bumps to calm down. Any recommendations?

Thanks! cindi

Gosh Cindi, I didn't encounter this problem, but there is always something different. My scalp is tender for several days with every treatment even with drugs that do not cause the loss of hair. When my hair fell out, it pretty much did so all at once in the shower except for a small clump at my crown which I clipped with scissors.

I'm wondering if a wig cap would help. They are like a stocking to put over your head before the wig or possibly Nair, the hair removal cream. Just thoughts. The nair may irritate the bumps and pimples but then again with a clean scalp you could treat them more properly too and soon have a nice clean scalp.

I do remember with my very first chemo I had horrible acne on my face for awhile. I was afraid I'd be dealing with that the whole time, but it occurred only that once and cleared up.

Hi Cindi
I did have this same problem. Unfortunately, you sort of have to "ride it out"...however I DID find that an aneseptic "toner" for the face helped...it is the kind like Sea Breeze, the kind of stuff that feels good on the face...I know I used what I had at home which was the Sea Breeze and some Mary Kay facial toner. I would think anything that is gentle enough for the face would work fine, if you need to find something at the store. The kind I had wasn't for acne, but I would think any of that would be fine...
I also found it to be very soothing when I applied it, I put it on a few times a day just for some relief. And it wasn't long and things cleared up and felt much better.
Hope this helps!

Thanks for the suggestions! I realized I had some Eucerin for itchy skin and tried that today. I also found washing my scalp a few times a day helps it, too.

I want to watch these "pimply" things--maybe another chemo reaction? I found some of them on my chest and shoulders as well. Not my typical breakout stuff.

I will get the stubble shaved off when the pimples go away. They are uncomfortable for even resting my head on a pillow, with and without soft cap on!

I experienced the same thing and the doc said it was a reaction to the taxol not the shaving of my head. So it maybe it is another reaction to the chemo.

Good luck!

Andrea

Hi, I found that the stubble and roughness went after a few wks and I only remember shaving my head once more after the initial shave - and this was just to get rid of those stray hairs that continued to grow...I must have had about 50 long hairs and the rest of my head bald!

I remember my dr also talking about Taxol being the culprit for my bumpy scalp!