I used to be identified 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 might 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 accredited for early-stage breast most cancers and fewer potent sorts of chemo. I used to be stage 3 and taking doxorubicin, also called the “crimson satan.” So, yeah, fairly potent stuff.
Though I used to be disenchanted that I couldn’t attempt chilly capping to scale back hair loss throughout chemo, simply realizing it was on the market made me eager for developments in most cancers remedies. Hair loss might look like a small factor when speaking about illness, however it may be actually devastating. One latest report cited as much as 14% of women received’t think about chemotherapy due to hair loss.
Chilly caps don’t work for everybody, and outcomes differ from individual to individual relying on lots of various factors. However new analysis reveals utilizing chilly caps can assist some folks maintain 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 appropriate path.
For those who or somebody you understand is curious about chilly caps for chemo-induced hair loss, right here’s what it is advisable to know.
What’s chilly capping?
Chilly capping entails sporting a helmet-like machine to decrease the temperature of the scalp throughout chemotherapy. The chilly temperature decreases blood movement, which may scale back the quantity of chemo that reaches the hair follicles and will 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 connected to a machine that circulates cooling liquid or gel contained in the cap. As soon as the machine is connected, the cooling system will maintain 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 should get replaced about each half-hour. Handbook chilly caps will not be 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 outdoor pair of arms to assist with the caps, though it doesn’t should be a nurse — household or pals can assist throughout remedy.
Who can use chilly caps?
Individuals with stable 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 protected general, however some folks with sure well being situations 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 movement might cease the chemo from attending to the place it must go.
You additionally shouldn’t use chilly caps for those who:
- 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 shouldn’t be really useful for individuals who have cold-agglutinin disease, cryoglobulinemia and post-traumatic cold dystrophy.
What are the uncomfortable side effects of chilly caps?
Chilly caps dwell as much as the title, so for those who’re delicate to chilly temperatures, you could really feel uncomfortable through the periods. 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 coverage.
Handbook frozen caps will not be coated by insurance coverage.
For those who need assistance paying for the cooling remedy, nonprofit organizations similar to HairToStay and The Rapunzel Venture could possibly assist cowl the price of chilly capping.
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