chemo caps for summer?

inkster

Howdy!

I'm starting chemo in a couple weeks, which gives me loads of time to stew. So, being occasionally crafty, I thought I'd crochet a chemo cap or two. But I've got questions I'm hoping you can help me with. Aside from the looking more normal aspect, are there practical reasons for the cap? Does your head get cold? Even in summer? Or is the cap more of a protection thing (and fancy mesh patterns would be a bad idea)? Other thoughts?

Huge thanks!

Kicks

I didn't wear crocheted caps but made scarves out of all sorts of pretty material. Hubby would oftwn stop at a fabric store and bring home some he thought was pretty and 'happy'. They are very simple to make and customize.

Added - actually I didn't do,my chemo during summer but still hadn't got hair back by the time it got warm. I did,still get a cold head when in air conditioning. I don't think that the lacy open patterns would be a good idea as it,would allow for possible sunburn in the open areas.

SpecialK

I wore a lightweight seamless fleece cap at night - I live in Florida with air conditioning on all the time in the summer - I was surprised at how cold my head was without covering.  At home I wore regular bandanas, with the pointy end tucked into the knot at the back - like the dollar a piece type.  Easy to wash and dry, and they come in a lot of prints and colors.  I did not wear hats or caps outside the house over my bald head as I was not comfortable with identifying myself as a cancer patient, only a wig, or the hairpiece I had made from www.hatswithhair.com out of my own long hair that I had cut prior to chemo.  I had the "underhair" made - it has a soft cotton top and I did have to wear a ball cap or fedora to cover the fabric, but it was much cooler and less itchy than my wig.  Another reason to wear a head covering outside is that your skin may be more photosensitive due to the chemo drugs and sunburn faster, or you may experience rashes/breakouts/folliculitis.

Spookiesmom

I did my chemo in Floridas summer swelter. I had a ball cap embroidered NO HAIR DAY that I wore to protect from the sun. I don't get chilled from a/c. I did get chilly in our winter when my hair still hadn't grown in. A knit ski hat worked.

Nancy2581

I wore a sleep cap (but it was cute) at night and during the day. It was light weight so didn't really feel hot and I live in San Diego CA

Nancy

inkster

Thanks, all! I did pick out some cotton yarn (which will be cooler than, say, acrylic) and am opting for a fairly dense pattern which should protect my never-seen-the-sun scalp.

I'm also looking into the soft caps mentioned (found a few good websites) and scarves and bandanas galore. I'm in the throes of retail therapy and keep having to remind myself that this is only temporary and I really don't need stacks and stacks of stuff.

I love the No Hair Day hat! I have one that says Fight Like A Girl.

Valentine99

I sewed some do-rags out of cotton material. They are easy to make and can be done with a fat quarter I believe.

inks

If you can sew a little then I put a pattern for simple no tie scarf here http://snipriphooray.blogspot.com/. If you make it from cotton lycra knit it would be comfy in the summer. Takes only 18 inches of knit to make one.