No wig/cap/hat for Rads?

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faithfulc
faithfulc Member Posts: 284
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I think I read someone's post (don't remember whose) that one is not allowed any hair pieces during Rads.  Is this true?  Not even a simple cotton cap?  How is a wig going to interfere with Rads?  Please help.  I'm going through chemo now and have lost all my hair.  Rads is coming up in a few months...

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited February 2010

    faithfulc

    Not sure where you heard that--I was treated at Dana Farber and wore my wig every day to radiation---it was never an issue

    best of luck

    c

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  • Morgan513
    Morgan513 Member Posts: 664
    edited February 2010

    I wore my wig all the time.  They never even suggested taking it off!

    Good luck!

    Lorrie 

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  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    Thank you!!  That sounds more reasonable to me.

    I read it on the chemo board, thread for Jan 2010 chemo - page 29 at the top, and by VegasDiva.

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  • RedheadPam
    RedheadPam Member Posts: 98
    edited February 2010

    I wear a cap or scarf every day at rads, no problem!

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited February 2010

    I can't think of a reason for taking off your wig or hat. If it should be suggested ask WHY. You're having your breast or chest wall radiated, not your head.

    Leah

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  • paigelise
    paigelise Member Posts: 173
    edited February 2010

    Hi...when I was measured for my radiation they had made a special pillow for me also that helped me always be in the same position.  Later in my radiation I would wear a baseball hat or keep on my winter hat because I was too lazy to do my hair and sometimes I had to take it off to make sure I was lined up correctly (usually with the thicker winter hat).  Maybe this was what they meant.  I would think if you get measured with your hair piece it wouldn't be a problem to get your radiation with it.

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  • steph90
    steph90 Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2010

    I had to remove my scarf when my tatooing was done. I  cried the whole time. I later asked the radiation specialists why this was done, and they knew of no reason for me to have been asked to remove the scarf. The guy must have been a sadist or something. So ask for a reason if you are requested to remove your wig or scarf. and make sure its a good reason. I was never asked during actual treatment to remove my scarf.

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  • MaineCoonKitty
    MaineCoonKitty Member Posts: 125
    edited February 2010

    Unless they're radiating your head, there's no reason why you can't wear a hat or wig during treatments.  I wear my wig eveyr day.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited February 2010

    The facility I used is in Jerusalem. It therefore has a large percentage of patients who are Orthodox Jewish women (who cover their hair with hats/scarves/wigs after marriage) and Muslim women (who wear headscarves all the time). The only ones asked to remove their head coverings are those getting rads to their head.

    It is considered a world-class facility. 

    Leah

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited February 2010

    if you are having rads on your front, the head position can be a bit akward. I had to pin back my hair so it didn't flop infront of my nose and mouth and make me fidget.

    I guess a long wig or a scarf with tails could also get in the way, a cap should be just fine.

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  • GryffinSong
    GryffinSong Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2010

    Not only could I wear my scarf, I got to keep in my earrings! :)

    Hugs and try not to worry. Compared to chemo, rads aren't too bad. The worst part, for me, was that instead of a chemo suite with lots of people to talk with, I was stuck in a machine for a couple minutes with only the techs. It doesn't take long, but staring around at all that equipment I felt a little like I'd been abducted by aliens!

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited February 2010

    gs, that is just what it feel like. It's like being a target in a video game.

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited February 2010

    I was told no wig, but it hasn't been bad. The rad techs are great. I get a nice warm blanket every day, and they are very good to keep my good side covered.

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  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    jacee, did they tell you why you cannot wear your wig?  Were you able to wear any head covering at all?  (I always wonder what if you have real hair - wouldn't they allow that?)

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited March 2010

    faithfulc- no, they didn't explain. I just assumed it was proper placement in my "form fitted" foam. I actually wore my wig into the room, and removed it with my glasses. So, I was just without it for a  few minutes during the treatment.

    LOL..you are right about real hair!!

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  • mattzie
    mattzie Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2010

    they made a special pillow to cradle my head too in just the right way and my face has to be aimed a little to the right. i think they know what they are doing and there must be good reason to have your head in just the right position each time you're radiated. or at least some of us! (my tumor was high on the breast). i am not supposed to wear a wig when i get radiated and part of the reasoning is that i have 3 wigs and they're each a different thickness. i'm completely willing to go absolutely bald if it means helping them get exactly the right spot with the zapper.

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited March 2010

    I asked when I first started rads if I should take my wig off.  I was told I could wear it or not it was up to me. 

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