I used to be recognized with breast cancer in 2015, proper across the identical time the primary FDA-approved cold cap got here out. I’d heard in regards to the potential hair-saving helmet on the information, and I crossed all my follicles that it may work for me as I ready to start out chemotherapy.
Sadly, I wasn’t a candidate for scalp cooling remedy. Again then, the cooling units had been solely permitted for early-stage breast most cancers and fewer potent sorts of chemo. I used to be stage 3 and taking doxorubicin, also referred to as the “crimson 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 realizing it was on the market made me longing for developments in most cancers therapies. Hair loss might look like a small factor when speaking about illness, however it may be actually devastating. One current report cited as much as 14% of women gained’t take into account chemotherapy due to hair loss.
Chilly caps don’t work for everybody, and outcomes range from individual to individual relying on plenty of various factors. However new analysis exhibits utilizing chilly caps can assist some folks hold a very good quantity of hair throughout chemo — even folks getting the crimson satan: In a single study, 71.4% of individuals on doxorubicin noticed profitable hair retention. That’s a hair flip in the best path.
Should you or somebody you realize is enthusiastic about chilly caps for chemo-induced hair loss, right here’s what it’s essential to 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 circulate, which might scale back the quantity of chemo that reaches the hair follicles and should scale back hair loss for some folks.
What are the sorts of chilly caps?
Scalp cooling remedy contains two sorts 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.
- Guide: 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 should get replaced about each half-hour. Guide chilly caps usually are not regulated by the FDA.
How do chilly caps work?
Each sorts of chilly caps work by decreasing the temperature of the scalp earlier than, throughout and after chemo.
Usually, the particular person administering the chemo will assist arrange the automated chilly cap machine and ensure the temperature is appropriate and that the cap is secured tightly round your head.
Individuals utilizing handbook caps additionally want an out of doors pair of arms to assist with the caps, though it doesn’t must be a nurse — household or buddies can assist throughout remedy.
Who can use chilly caps?
Individuals with strong tumors (breast, colon, lung, gynecological) can use chilly caps to assist scale back hair loss throughout chemo.
Who shouldn’t use chilly caps?
Cooling caps are comparatively secure total, however some folks with sure well being circumstances shouldn’t use chilly caps.
For instance, folks with blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma shouldn’t use chilly caps as a result of the restricted blood circulate might cease the chemo from attending to the place it must go.
You additionally shouldn’t use chilly caps if you happen to:
- Have central nervous system most cancers
- Are getting chemo for a bone marrow transplant
- Had radiation to the pinnacle or can have radiation to the scalp
Chilly capping will not be beneficial for individuals who have cold-agglutinin disease, cryoglobulinemia and post-traumatic cold dystrophy.
What are the uncomfortable side effects of chilly caps?
Chilly caps stay as much as the identify, so if you happen to’re delicate to chilly temperatures, you could really feel uncomfortable throughout the classes. Different uncomfortable 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
Is chilly capping coated by insurance coverage?
Automated chilly caps are coated by Medicare and could also be coated by different insurance policy.
Guide frozen caps usually are not coated by insurance coverage.
Should you need assistance paying for the cooling remedy, nonprofit organizations comparable to HairToStay and The Rapunzel Venture might be able to assist cowl the price of chilly capping.
From Your Website Articles
Associated Articles Across the Internet
