Hemo is kicking my hair's a**

[bette1]

My hair is terrible.  It is broken off and super dry.  I am seriously considering getting a wig.  I'm quite depressed about the wig thing.  It's a bit of a blow to the female ego to have to resort to wigs.  The weird thing about it is I was on CAPD for years and I never had this problem.  Is there something that hemo does that messes up your hair? 

[peleroja]

Oh, yeah, hemo is bad news for the hair.  Like you, I was on PD for 6 years, then had a bout of peritonitis and had to go on hemo for 6 months.  My hair is 6" shorter, my scrunchies that used to go around my hair twice now go around 5 times, and it only takes 1/2 a bottle of hair dye to dye my hair now.  I think there are protein shampoos one can use, but I've just been too lazy up till now.  After over 40 years of long hair, I'm seriously considering cutting it, just so it doesn't look so pathetic!

[Wenchie58]

Apparently kidney disease and hair don't go hand in hand.  I never did hemo so I can't speak to that, but post transplant meds can do a number.  I've always had long hair too....til transplant....now its shoulder length, thin and straight.  Ahhhhh well, the choices we make to live. 

[Pam]

I'm joining this club! My hair is not dry or brittle it is just falling out and it's all on the top and sides. I didn't have al ot to lose Io start with. There is not a wig shop within 150 miles of me so I ordered one online and it should be here today.  I don't look like a clown!
Pam

[willowtreewren]

My husband hardly had any hair to begin with! So, it hasn't been a problem for him.

 

[Rerun]

My hair did fall out when I started hemo again.  Mine was stress.  I went and paid $130 for a nice blond wig and it looked great but it was hot and itchy.  I would start out good and by the time I got home it was crooked from me trying to scratch!  Thank God my hair grew back and it is full again. 

You may try cutting it and giving it a chance to grow back. 

[bette1]

You guys make me feel better.  It's hard to lose your hair, and it is a very superficial thing, but it's been bugging me.  Rerun, your wig story is so funny.  I can picture it. 

[pdpatty]

My thin hair is much thinner now. UGH!  Can see scalp on top of head!

[RightSide]

Patients on renal diets and HD often aren't getting enough protein and zinc in their diet.  Protein deficiency or zinc deficiency can cause loss of hair.

Your monthly albumin level should be 4.0 or higher.  If not, then you aren't getting enough protein in your diet.

This should be discussed with your dietician.