Alopecia totalis is the loss of all hair on the head and face. Its causes are unclear, but believed to be autoimmune. Research suggests there may be a genetic component linked to developing alopecia totalis; the presence of DRB1*0401 and DQB1*0301, both of which are human leukocyte antigens (HLA), were found to be associated with long-standing alopecia totalis.[1]
Scalp cooling has specifically been used to prevent alopecia in docetaxel chemotherapy,[3] although it has been found prophylactic in other regimens as well.[4][5][6] Treatment effects may take time to resolve, with one study showing breast cancer survivors wearing wigs up to 2 years after chemotherapy.[7]
^Joly, Pascal (2006). "The use of methtrexate alone or in combination with low doses of oral corticosteroids in the treatment of alopecia totalis or universalis". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 55 (4): 632–6. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2005.09.010. PMID17010743.
^Hurk, C. J. G.; Breed, W. P. M.; Nortier, J. W. R. (2012). "Short post-infusion scalp cooling time in the prevention of docetaxel-induced alopecia". Supportive Care in Cancer. 20 (12): 3255–3260. doi:10.1007/s00520-012-1465-0. PMID22539051. S2CID1282047.
^Lemieux, J. (2012). "Reducing chemotherapy-induced alopecia with scalp cooling". Clinical Advances in Hematology & Oncology. 10 (10): 681–682. PMID23187775.
^Van Den Hurk, C. J.; Peerbooms, M.; Van De Poll-Franse, L. V.; Nortier, J. W.; Coebergh, J. W. W.; Breed, W. P. (2012). "Scalp cooling for hair preservation and associated characteristics in 1411 chemotherapy patients - Results of the Dutch Scalp Cooling Registry". Acta Oncologica. 51 (4): 497–504. doi:10.3109/0284186X.2012.658966. PMID22304489. S2CID26709009.
^Oshima, Y.; Watanabe, T.; Nakagawa, S.; Endo, A.; Shiga, C. (2012). "A questionnaire survey about hair loss after chemotherapy for breast cancer". Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer & Chemotherapy. 39 (9): 1375–1378. PMID22996772.
