Alopecia, Chemically-Induced
By: Tanja Schub, BS
Cinahl Information Systems, Glendale, CA; Penny March, PsyD
Cinahl Information Systems, Glendale, CA
Edited by: Diane Pravikoff, RN, PhD, FAAN
Cinahl Information Systems, Glendale, CA
Description/Etiology
Alopecia is the loss of hair, either on the scalp only, where it is most evident, or on both the scalp and on other parts of the body. Chemically induced alopecia occurs most commonly as a result of chemotherapy for cancer. It may occur due to exposure to chemicals (e.g., boron in boric acid) or due to taking certain drugs (e.g., colchicine, heparin, warfarin, dextran sulfate, oral contraceptives, propranolol, cimetidine, allopurinol, dopamine agonists, psychoactive drugs). The technical name for this type of alopecia is anagen arrest or effluvium.
The normal hair shaft grows for 2–8 years (i.e., the anagen stage) and then rests for about 3 months (i.e., the telogen stage), after which it is shed. Chemotherapeutic agents are cytotoxic to malignant cells and kill all rapidly growing and reproducing cells, including epithelial cells in the hair bulb. Without a healthy hair bulb, the hair loss characteristic of alopecia develops. Factors that influence the occurrence and extent of hair loss include the toxicity of the chemical or chemical combinations, the method of chemical delivery (e.g., oral, I.V.), the dose, the length of the drug half-life (the amount of time required for half of the administered drug to be eliminated from the bloodstream), and whether the person has chemically treated hair (e.g., permed, bleached, dyed). Diffuse hair loss, typically on the scalp without scarring or visible irritation to the skin, may appear within 1–2 weeks following initiation of chemical exposure. Symptoms are most noticeable after 1–2 months. Hair loss may involve only the scalp or may include the eyebrows, eyelashes, axillary and pubic hair, and body hair (e.g., hair on the legs, arms, chest). Body hair is more likely to be lost in long-term chemical exposure (e.g., chemotherapy for treatment of cancer). In most cases, alopecia is temporary and resolves within 4–6 weeks following cessation of exposure to the causative chemical. Permanent alopecia occurs in few cases following high-dose chemotherapy and subsequent bone marrow transplantation. Alopecia that persists is considered by some patients to be the most traumatic adverse effect of chemotherapy because it negatively affects appearance, self-image, and quality of life. Treatment involves patient education, emotional support, and wearing wigs, scarves, and hats.
Facts and Figures
The normal scalp hair shed rate is 50–150 hairs lost per day. In about 65% of patients with chemically induced alopecia, the regrown hair will be different from the hair it is replacing. The color may be different (sometimes gray); the texture may also be different, perhaps coarser; and/or the hair may be thinner.
Risk Factors
Chemotherapy for cancer is the most common risk factor. Risk is especially increased with the use of more toxic chemotherapeutic agents and combinations of agents. HIV infection, X-ray therapy, chemical exposure/poisoning (i.e., arsenic or thallium), using chemical hair relaxer, and the use of some prescription drugs (i.e., allopurinol, anticoagulants) are also risk factors.
Signs and Symptoms/Clinical Presentation
Patients may notice clumps of hair falling out on pillows, clothing, and in the shower. Areas of baldness may develop, beginning on the crown of the head, and spreading laterally, over the ears, perhaps as a result of friction of the head on pillows, hats, or scarves. Baldness eventually extends to the entire head. In some cases, eyelashes, eyebrows, beards and mustaches (in men), axillary hair, pubic hair, and/or body hair on the arms, legs, chest, and back may be shed completely.
Assessment
• Patient History
• Ask about environmental chemical exposures and medical, mental health, and drug use history to assess for risk factors (certain psychiatric conditions, such as trichotillomania, are characterized by pulling out one’s own hair)
• Laboratory Tests
• Toxicology testing may be ordered if alopecia is believed to result from poisoning from heavy metals, boric acid, thallium, or large doses of medications known to cause alopecia
• Thyroid function tests (TSH, T3, T4) may be ordered if thyroid malfunction is suspected
• Ferritin levels, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation will identify iron deficiency, if present; CBC will assess for anemia or immunologic disorder as a cause
• Androgen levels will screen for androchronogenetic alopecia (AGA; i.e., hair loss due to hormone abnormalities)
• Histologic analysis of biopsied scalp tissue may be ordered if infection or a skin disorder is suspected
• Examination of the roots and hair shaft (obtained via hair-pluck trichogram in which a clump of about 50 hairs are pulled out with a hemostat) may show abnormalities
Treatment Goals
• Provide Emotional Support and Educate on Hair and Scalp Care
• Assess all physiologic systems and for chemical use/exposures that may result in alopecia; immediately report underlying abnormalities and use/exposures, treat as ordered
• Discontinue specific alopecia-inducing agents, as ordered
• Assess anxiety level and coping ability; if appropriate, provide comfort and support in dealing with the underlying health problem that resulted in hair loss; discuss ways to cope with hair loss, issues of self-image, and self-esteem; encourage patient to share feelings with support persons
• Provide written materials to reinforce teaching on hair loss; request referral to a social worker, if appropriate, for identification of local resources or programs from the American Cancer Society to aid in makeup, selecting a wig, and providing support ( http://www.cancer.org)
• If appropriate, request referral to a mental health clinician for psychological evaluation and counseling on coping strategies
• Emphasize that while hair is shedding, certain harsh hair treatments (e.g., dyes, perms, bleach) and tight hair styles will increase the amount of shedding and should be avoided
• Encourage to lubricate the scalp several times daily with an unscented, water-soluble lubricant and to wash hair with warm water; avoid harsh shampoos; dry hair gently; avoid blow drying hair or blow dry sparingly, using a low setting
• Suggest using satin pillowcases to reduce friction, which may result in less hair loss
Food for Thought
• Cooling the scalp has been attempted to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy sessions, but studies on the success of this method have been small and some patients are reported to subsequently develop scalp metastases
• Researchers in a 2010 research study in the Netherlands of breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced alopecia (N = 98) reported that scalp cooling contributed to the wellbeing of most participants (52%), although patients nonetheless experienced additional distress from hair loss (van den Hurk et al., 2010)
• Topical minoxidil solution may reduce the severity and duration of chemotherapy-induced alopecia
• A recently reported symptom of selenium overdose is hair loss (MacFarquhar et al., 2010)
• Investigators in a recent study evaluated the use of a computer program, called Help with Adjustment to Alopecia by Image Recovery (HAAIR), in providing education support and decreasing anxiety in women with chemotherapy-induced alopecia; participants reported lower hair loss distress scores and found the program positive and helpful in reducing distress from hair loss due to chemotherapy (McGarvey et al., 2010)
• Researchers recently reported 4 cases of cutaneous atrophy and alopecia following greater occipital nerve (GON) injection of the corticosteroid triamcinolone, a common treatment for headache; the authors suggested that alternative steroid formulations—such as methylPREDNISolone and betamethasone—may be better suited for GON blockade (Lambru et al., 2012)
Red Flags
• In the inpatient setting, loss of hair in a patient taking certain nonchemotherapeutic drugs may be the first sign of drug toxicity
• Hypothermia of the scalp or pneumatic scalp tourniquet use during chemotherapy sessions may restrict entry of chemotherapeutic drugs into the scalp, leaving the scalp vulnerable to metastases
What Do I Need to Tell the Patient/Patient’s Family?
• Prepare patient and family for patient’s hair loss if chemotherapy is anticipated; reassure that in most cases, hair loss is temporary and hair will grow back
• If patient is concerned about body image and esthetics due to hair loss, suggest the use of scarves, hats, wigs, or hairpieces
• If alopecia affects eyebrows or eyelashes, suggest patient learn makeup techniques to compensate; if eyelashes are lost, suggest using false eyelashes
• Remind patient that head protection is essential
• Apply sunscreen before going out in the sun, or wear a hat
• Wear hats in cold weather and when sleeping to prevent heat loss
Note
• Recent review of the literature has found no updated research evidence on this topic since the previous publication on January 31, 2014
ผมร่วง เกิดจากสารเคมีโดย: Tanja Schub, BS ระบบข้อมูล Cinahl เกลนเดล CA เงิน เดือนมีนาคม PsyD ระบบข้อมูล Cinahl เกลนเดล CA แก้ไขโดย: FAAN ไดแอน Pravikoff, RN ปริญญาเอก ระบบข้อมูล Cinahl เกลนเดล CAคำอธิบาย/วิชาการร่วงเป็นการสูญเสียของเส้นผม ทั้ง บนหนังศีรษะเท่านั้น ซึ่งเป็นที่เห็นได้ชัดที่สุด หรือทั้งหนังศีรษะ และส่วนอื่น ๆ ของร่างกาย สารเคมีอาจร่วงมักเกิดจากเคมีบำบัดสำหรับโรคมะเร็ง มันอาจเกิดขึ้นเนื่อง จากสัมผัสกับสารเคมี (เช่น โบรอนในกรด boric) หรือเนื่อง จากการใช้ยาบางอย่าง (เช่น โคลชิซีน เฮพาริน วาร์ฟาริน เดกซ์แทรนซัลเฟต คุม โพรพาโนลอล ไซเมทิดีน allopurinol, agonists โดพามีน ยาออก) ชื่อทางเทคนิคชนิดนี้ร่วงเป็น anagen จับหรือ effluviumThe normal hair shaft grows for 2–8 years (i.e., the anagen stage) and then rests for about 3 months (i.e., the telogen stage), after which it is shed. Chemotherapeutic agents are cytotoxic to malignant cells and kill all rapidly growing and reproducing cells, including epithelial cells in the hair bulb. Without a healthy hair bulb, the hair loss characteristic of alopecia develops. Factors that influence the occurrence and extent of hair loss include the toxicity of the chemical or chemical combinations, the method of chemical delivery (e.g., oral, I.V.), the dose, the length of the drug half-life (the amount of time required for half of the administered drug to be eliminated from the bloodstream), and whether the person has chemically treated hair (e.g., permed, bleached, dyed). Diffuse hair loss, typically on the scalp without scarring or visible irritation to the skin, may appear within 1–2 weeks following initiation of chemical exposure. Symptoms are most noticeable after 1–2 months. Hair loss may involve only the scalp or may include the eyebrows, eyelashes, axillary and pubic hair, and body hair (e.g., hair on the legs, arms, chest). Body hair is more likely to be lost in long-term chemical exposure (e.g., chemotherapy for treatment of cancer). In most cases, alopecia is temporary and resolves within 4–6 weeks following cessation of exposure to the causative chemical. Permanent alopecia occurs in few cases following high-dose chemotherapy and subsequent bone marrow transplantation. Alopecia that persists is considered by some patients to be the most traumatic adverse effect of chemotherapy because it negatively affects appearance, self-image, and quality of life. Treatment involves patient education, emotional support, and wearing wigs, scarves, and hats.Facts and FiguresThe normal scalp hair shed rate is 50–150 hairs lost per day. In about 65% of patients with chemically induced alopecia, the regrown hair will be different from the hair it is replacing. The color may be different (sometimes gray); the texture may also be different, perhaps coarser; and/or the hair may be thinner.Risk FactorsChemotherapy for cancer is the most common risk factor. Risk is especially increased with the use of more toxic chemotherapeutic agents and combinations of agents. HIV infection, X-ray therapy, chemical exposure/poisoning (i.e., arsenic or thallium), using chemical hair relaxer, and the use of some prescription drugs (i.e., allopurinol, anticoagulants) are also risk factors.Signs and Symptoms/Clinical PresentationPatients may notice clumps of hair falling out on pillows, clothing, and in the shower. Areas of baldness may develop, beginning on the crown of the head, and spreading laterally, over the ears, perhaps as a result of friction of the head on pillows, hats, or scarves. Baldness eventually extends to the entire head. In some cases, eyelashes, eyebrows, beards and mustaches (in men), axillary hair, pubic hair, and/or body hair on the arms, legs, chest, and back may be shed completely.Assessment• Patient History• Ask about environmental chemical exposures and medical, mental health, and drug use history to assess for risk factors (certain psychiatric conditions, such as trichotillomania, are characterized by pulling out one’s own hair)• Laboratory Tests
• Toxicology testing may be ordered if alopecia is believed to result from poisoning from heavy metals, boric acid, thallium, or large doses of medications known to cause alopecia
• Thyroid function tests (TSH, T3, T4) may be ordered if thyroid malfunction is suspected
• Ferritin levels, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation will identify iron deficiency, if present; CBC will assess for anemia or immunologic disorder as a cause
• Androgen levels will screen for androchronogenetic alopecia (AGA; i.e., hair loss due to hormone abnormalities)
• Histologic analysis of biopsied scalp tissue may be ordered if infection or a skin disorder is suspected
• Examination of the roots and hair shaft (obtained via hair-pluck trichogram in which a clump of about 50 hairs are pulled out with a hemostat) may show abnormalities
Treatment Goals
• Provide Emotional Support and Educate on Hair and Scalp Care
• Assess all physiologic systems and for chemical use/exposures that may result in alopecia; immediately report underlying abnormalities and use/exposures, treat as ordered
• Discontinue specific alopecia-inducing agents, as ordered
• Assess anxiety level and coping ability; if appropriate, provide comfort and support in dealing with the underlying health problem that resulted in hair loss; discuss ways to cope with hair loss, issues of self-image, and self-esteem; encourage patient to share feelings with support persons
• Provide written materials to reinforce teaching on hair loss; request referral to a social worker, if appropriate, for identification of local resources or programs from the American Cancer Society to aid in makeup, selecting a wig, and providing support ( http://www.cancer.org)
• If appropriate, request referral to a mental health clinician for psychological evaluation and counseling on coping strategies
• Emphasize that while hair is shedding, certain harsh hair treatments (e.g., dyes, perms, bleach) and tight hair styles will increase the amount of shedding and should be avoided
• Encourage to lubricate the scalp several times daily with an unscented, water-soluble lubricant and to wash hair with warm water; avoid harsh shampoos; dry hair gently; avoid blow drying hair or blow dry sparingly, using a low setting
• Suggest using satin pillowcases to reduce friction, which may result in less hair loss
Food for Thought
• Cooling the scalp has been attempted to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy sessions, but studies on the success of this method have been small and some patients are reported to subsequently develop scalp metastases
• Researchers in a 2010 research study in the Netherlands of breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced alopecia (N = 98) reported that scalp cooling contributed to the wellbeing of most participants (52%), although patients nonetheless experienced additional distress from hair loss (van den Hurk et al., 2010)
• Topical minoxidil solution may reduce the severity and duration of chemotherapy-induced alopecia
• A recently reported symptom of selenium overdose is hair loss (MacFarquhar et al., 2010)
• Investigators in a recent study evaluated the use of a computer program, called Help with Adjustment to Alopecia by Image Recovery (HAAIR), in providing education support and decreasing anxiety in women with chemotherapy-induced alopecia; participants reported lower hair loss distress scores and found the program positive and helpful in reducing distress from hair loss due to chemotherapy (McGarvey et al., 2010)
• Researchers recently reported 4 cases of cutaneous atrophy and alopecia following greater occipital nerve (GON) injection of the corticosteroid triamcinolone, a common treatment for headache; the authors suggested that alternative steroid formulations—such as methylPREDNISolone and betamethasone—may be better suited for GON blockade (Lambru et al., 2012)
Red Flags
• In the inpatient setting, loss of hair in a patient taking certain nonchemotherapeutic drugs may be the first sign of drug toxicity
• Hypothermia of the scalp or pneumatic scalp tourniquet use during chemotherapy sessions may restrict entry of chemotherapeutic drugs into the scalp, leaving the scalp vulnerable to metastases
What Do I Need to Tell the Patient/Patient’s Family?
• Prepare patient and family for patient’s hair loss if chemotherapy is anticipated; reassure that in most cases, hair loss is temporary and hair will grow back
• If patient is concerned about body image and esthetics due to hair loss, suggest the use of scarves, hats, wigs, or hairpieces
• If alopecia affects eyebrows or eyelashes, suggest patient learn makeup techniques to compensate; if eyelashes are lost, suggest using false eyelashes
• Remind patient that head protection is essential
• Apply sunscreen before going out in the sun, or wear a hat
• Wear hats in cold weather and when sleeping to prevent heat loss
Note
• Recent review of the literature has found no updated research evidence on this topic since the previous publication on January 31, 2014
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..