Chemotherapy and Hair Loss
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- alopecia (al-oh-PEE-shuh)
The lack or loss of hair from areas of the body where hair is usually found. Alopecia can be a side effect of some cancer treatments.
- chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
- prosthesis (pros-THEE-sis)
Prosthesis, an artificial appliance used to replace a lost natural structure; provided, however, that prosthesis shall include, but not be limited to, artificial arms, legs, breasts, scalp hair or glass eyes. The plural for prosthesis is prostheses.
Scalp hair prosthesis is an artificial substitute for scalp hair.
Hair prostheses are custom made and fitted to the shape and size of the person. They are handmade,colored and constructed. The ventilated hair is applied to the prosthetic hypoallergenic scalp skin. Men, women and children over the age of 5 can wear a cranial prosthesis.
There is a drastic difference between a wig and a cranial hair prosthesis. Doctors prescribe a prosthesis for patients who have lost their hair resulting from medical conditions such as alopecia areata ( a genetic disorder affecting the autoimmune system), trichotillomania, chemotherapy or any other clinical disease or treatment resulting in hair loss. Cranial prosthesis also help protect disease-weakened immune systems from ultraviolet radiation as well as regulating the bodies' temperature.
Many health plans provide coverage for a prosthesis. Costs vary greatly but these pieces may be considered medical expenses, often tax deductible. Your state sales tax also may be fully refundable helping to defer cost.
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