Chemotherapy and Radiation effect on Hair and Homoeopathy

The word ‘cancer’ brings nothing but a sense of surging fear to anyone’s mind.

Chemo-Effect on Hair

Hairloss is a potential side-effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer. Hairloss may occur throughout body, including the head, face, arms, legs, underarms and pubic area after chemotherapy. The amount of hair loss may depend on the type of chemotherapy drug used and the dosage. Most often, hair begins to fall 2-3 weeks after chemotherapy. If you are undergoing chemotherapy it is likely that all your hair will fall out. Chemotherapy basically targets the rapidly growing cancer cells in the body. However hair being one of the fastest growing tissues also becomes the unfortunate target of chemotherapy / drugs. Therefore there is hairloss from all over the body. Hair loss related to cancer treatment is generally short term. In most cases hair will grow back. Hair re-growth after chemotherapy usually begins a month after chemotherapy is stopped and it would take 6-12months to get complete hair re-growth. However the texture of hair and density may be different from the hair that was earlier lost. The color of the re-grown hair may also differ from the original, natural hair.

Radiation Effect on Hair

Radiation therapy affects the hair located within the field of radiation. Hair typically returns in the area of radiation therapy after some months. It may be thinner and appear with a different texture than the original hair. When high doses of radiation are used to treat cancer, the hair may not re-grow in the area where radiation therapy was given.

Homeopathic Medicine Benefits

While you are preparing for cancer treatment, it may be worthwhile considering options to cover up the baldness that is imminent.

Wigs can be a good option for men as well as women. Tying a scarf around the head can be another simple option for women.

Homeopathic medicines are very mild and gentle and do not interfere with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Homeopathic medicine stimulates the re-growth of hair.

Homoeopathy brings back the deviated immune system back to normalcy and hence helps in preventing cancer cell growth too.

Homoeopathic medicine helps to deal with other the side-effects of conventional cancer treatments like diarrhoea, burns, mouth ulcers.

Homoeopathic remedies antidote the harmful effects of cancer treatment and make your journey through the treatment less discomforting.

A qualified homeopath with experience in this area should be consulted as he or she can choose the most appropriate remedy and prescribe a dosing regime that suits the person.

Self Help

Lifestyle measures such as balanced diet, reducing weight if one is obese and undertaking some form of moderate physical activity or exercise.

Give up smoking. This is the most important thing one can do to reduce the risk of cancer.

While risk factors such as age, or ethnicity, cannot be controlled, detection is best aimed at identifying who among us may be higher risk of developing cancer through regular check-ups and screening.

Cancer cells grow in favorable environment. Hence food plays a very integral part in curbing the growth of cancer cells. Processed and refined products should be completed avoided.

Positive thinking and practicing de-stressing techniques helps to stop growth of cancer cells.