DO ALL KIDS WITH LEUKEMIA LOSE THEIR HAIR?

Discover how common hair loss is in childhood leukemia and what other early warning signs parents should watch for.

WHAT IS CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood forming cells in bone marrow that affects many children worldwide.

NOT ALL CHILDREN LOSE HAIR

Only about 63 to 72 percent of kids with leukemia experience hair loss. So losing hair is common but not guaranteed.

HAIR LOSS DEPENDS ON TREATMENT

Hair loss usually happens if chemotherapy is used because chemo affects fast‑growing hair cells.

WHEN HAIR STARTS FALLING

Hair loss may begin within 2 to 6 weeks of chemotherapy starting. Some children may see thinning while others may lose hair quickly.

NOT JUST SCALP HAIR

Loss can include eyebrows, eyelashes and sometimes body hair. The experience varies widely among children.

OTHER COMMON LEUKEMIA SYMPTOMS

Early signs include fatigue, paleness, frequent infections, easy bruising, bone pain, and swollen lymph nodes.

HAIR REGROWTH IS LIKELY AFTER TREATMENT

Hair often begins to grow back 1 to 3 months after treatment ends. Texture or color may change temporarily.

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