Hair Loss and Interferon Treatment for Hepatitis/Liver Disease
Some people are under the impression that interferon therapy will cause them to lose all their hair. This is a total misconception. In fact, hair loss while on interferon therapy is quite infrequent. If it occurs at all, the amount of hair lost is typically minimal and unnoticeable to others. Individuals on interferon do not experience hair loss in the way that a cancer patient on chemotherapy does. Hair loss when it does occur appears to be more frequent in Caucasians with black hair, and in Orientals. People should refrain from using hair dye or bleach while on interferon therapy, since this may exacerbate the problem. Many people have found the vitamin biotin (a B vitamin) to be helpful. It is advisable to take this vitamin daily, upon the commencement of therapy. It should be used in conjunction with Nioxin shampoo, Nioxin conditioner and Nioxin hair growth promoter. Nioxin hair loss treatment should be started about a month prior to starting interferon. Fortunately, any hair loss induced by interferon therapy is temporary, and regrowth typically occurs within three to six months from the drug’s discontinuation. In fact, many people have noted that their hair grows back thicker, straighter, and shinier than before!
The purpose of this article was to provide you with information you can use to minimize the potential side effects of interferon. Hopefully, the knowledge you have acquired will reduce the anxiety that commonly precedes the commencement of therapy. For additional information on managing the side effects of interferon you may wish to consult my book. Until next time - continue to keep up the fight for a healthy liver.
All contents of this article are Copyright © Melissa Palmer, MD
Melissa Palmer, MD is the author of " Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide of Hepatitis and Liver Disease". (Published 2004. Penguin Putnam).
Dr. Palmer is an internationally renowned hepatologist who has been practicing medicine since 1985. Prior to 2012, she maintained perhaps the largest medical practice devoted to liver disease in the United States. Dr. Palmer is Clinical Professor of Medicine at New York University Medical Center. Dr. Palmer graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. and was trained in hepatology (as well as medical school) at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.
Dr. Palmer is Board Certified in Gastroenterology and in Internal Medicine.
She has authored numerous scientific publications in the field of hepatology in such peer-reviewed journals as Hepatology, Gastroenterology, Seminars of Liver Disease, Transplantation and Archives of Internal Medicine.
She is frequently called upon by the media for her opinion on various topics related to liver disease. Dr. Palmer has appeared many times on television as a liver disease expert and has been quoted in such publications as TIME magazine, Cosmopolitan magazine, Prevention magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and Newsday. She also has appeared in numerous videos and CD-Roms aimed at educating doctors and the public about hepatitis C and other liver diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis. Dr. Palmer lectures to the medical and general public on liver disease-related topics on a regular basis.
Dr. Palmer has performed numerous clinical trials on various experimental medications for the treatment of hepatitis.
Dr. Palmer is currently available for lecturing, investor and hedge-fund consultations, consultations to industry, and media interviews and appearances-- including television. For such matters, she can be contacted through hepatitismedia@gmail.com.
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