Causes of Hair Loss:

Causes of Hair Loss:  Chemotherapy.

With most cancer treatments and radiation hair loss represents one of the most devastating side effects of cancer treatments.  The drugs are designed to poison cancer cells also poison the hair follicles and will often result to partial hair loss or total hair loss, depending on the degree of the treatment.  Your Oncology team will be able inform you on what will happen to your hair with your type of treatment.
Hair loss from chemotherapy will begin approximately 10-15 days after the first dose of chemotherapy.  Hair loss is temporary and hair will grow back in about 3 to 4 months after the last treatment. You will also find your scalp to be sensitive and dry, causing it to be itchy. 

Causes of Hair Loss: Alopecia.


In alopecia areata, the affected hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by a person's own immune system (white blood cells), resulting in the arrest of the hair growth stage. Alopecia areata usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth bald patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia Universalis).
Alopecia areata occurs in males and females of all ages and races, however, onset most often begins in childhood and can be psychologically devastating. Although not life-threatening, alopecia areata is most certainly life-altering, and its sudden onset, recurrent episodes, and unpredictable course have a profound psychological impact on the lives of those disrupted by this disease.