I used to be identified with breast most cancers in 2015, proper across the identical time the primary FDA-approved chilly cap got here out. I’d heard concerning the potential hair-saving helmet on the information, and I crossed all my follicles that it may work for me as I ready to begin chemotherapy.
Sadly, I wasn’t a candidate for scalp cooling remedy. Again then, the cooling units have been solely accepted for early-stage breast most cancers and fewer potent forms of chemo. I used to be stage 3 and taking doxorubicin, often known as the “purple satan.” So, yeah, fairly potent stuff.
Though I used to be disillusioned that I couldn’t strive chilly capping to cut back hair loss throughout chemo, simply understanding it was on the market made me looking forward to developments in most cancers remedies. Hair loss might appear to be a small factor when speaking about illness, however it may be actually devastating. One current report cited as much as 14% of girls received’t contemplate chemotherapy due to hair loss.
Chilly caps don’t work for everybody, and outcomes range from individual to individual relying on quite a lot of various factors. However new analysis reveals utilizing chilly caps may also help some individuals hold quantity of hair throughout chemo — even individuals getting the purple satan: In a single examine, 71.4% of individuals on doxorubicin noticed profitable hair retention. That’s a hair flip in the proper path.
In case you or somebody you recognize is eager about chilly caps for chemo-induced hair loss, right here’s what you must know.
What’s chilly capping?
Chilly capping entails sporting a helmet-like system to decrease the temperature of the scalp throughout chemotherapy. The chilly temperature decreases blood movement, which may cut back the quantity of chemo that reaches the hair follicles and should cut back hair loss for some individuals.
What are the forms of chilly caps?
Scalp cooling remedy contains two forms of units:
- Automated: The insulated chilly cap is attached to a machine that circulates cooling liquid or gel contained in the cap. As soon as the system is attached, the cooling system will hold the temperature the place it must be. Automated chilly caps are regulated by the FDA.
- Handbook: The frozen gel caps are saved in a freezer or with dry ice. As a result of the gel will begin to heat as soon as it’s on the scalp, a brand new frozen cap must get replaced about each half-hour. Handbook chilly caps should not regulated by the FDA.
How do chilly caps work?
Each forms of chilly caps work by decreasing the temperature of the scalp earlier than, throughout and after chemo.
Usually, the individual administering the chemo will assist arrange the automated chilly cap machine and ensure the temperature is right and that the cap is secured tightly round your head.
Folks utilizing handbook caps additionally want an out of doors pair of arms to assist with the caps, though it doesn’t need to be a nurse — household or buddies may also help throughout remedy.
Who can use chilly caps?
Folks with strong tumors (breast, colon, lung, gynecological) can use chilly caps to assist cut back hair loss throughout chemo.
Who shouldn’t use chilly caps?
Cooling caps are comparatively secure total, however some individuals with sure well being circumstances shouldn’t use chilly caps.
For instance, individuals with blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma shouldn’t use chilly caps as a result of the restricted blood movement might cease the chemo from attending to the place it must go.
You additionally shouldn’t use chilly caps should you:
- Have central nervous system most cancers
- Are getting chemo for a bone marrow transplant
- Had radiation to the pinnacle or could have radiation to the scalp
Chilly capping just isn’t beneficial for individuals who have cold-agglutinin illness, cryoglobulinemia and post-traumatic chilly dystrophy.
What are the unwanted side effects of chilly caps?
Chilly caps reside as much as the identify, so should you’re delicate to chilly temperatures, chances are you’ll really feel uncomfortable in the course of the classes. Different unwanted side effects of chilly capping can embody:
- Dry pores and skin
- Emotions of claustrophobia when sporting the cap
- Headache assaults
- Nausea
- Chilly thermal damage (burn) from handbook caps
Do I would like a prescription for scalp cooling remedy?
Whether or not you want a prescription will depend on which sort of chilly cap you wish to strive. The automated methods require a prescription, and the handbook methods don’t. All the time remember to ask your healthcare supplier earlier than utilizing any sort of scalp cooling system.
Is chilly capping coated by insurance coverage?
Handbook frozen caps should not coated by insurance coverage, however automated chilly caps are coated by Medicare and could also be coated by different insurance policy.
In case you need assistance paying for the cooling remedy, nonprofit organizations corresponding to HairToStay and The Rapunzel Challenge could possibly assist cowl the price of chilly capping.
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