Caring For Your Skin During Cancer Treatments

When you or someone you love is diagnosed with cancer there are many things to think about, and skin care can seem like a minor concern. Most people know about the hair loss that comes with chemotherapy and radiation, but treatment can also cause dull, dry, sensitive and irritated skin. When you are undergoing chemotherapy, your skin cells don’t replenish like they normally would, and your skin becomes dry and fragile. By proactively approaching this side effect, you can keep your skin healthy and hydrated as you undergo these drying treatments. People tend to think of dry skin as just a cosmetic problem, but skin can get so severely dry that it becomes inflamed and prone to infections. It’s important to adjust your routine to ensure your skin stays healthy throughout treatment.

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Here are Some Suggestions:

• Avoid long, hot showers or baths. These deplete your skin’s barrier and may cause more irritation.
• Use moisturizers, preferably thicker creams or ointments rather than lotions or gels. Generally speaking, the thicker consistency, the is more hydrating the product is.
• Apply the cream or ointment within 15 minutes of showering, before bed, and after washing your hands to prevent water loss.
• Search for products that are gentle, hydrating, and hypoallergenic. Gentle soothing ingredients will hydrate your skin without irritating it. Look for aloe, oats, and petrolatum to lock in moisture without irritation.
• Avoid common allergens like fragrance, dyes and essential oils that can further irritate dry, sensitive skin.
• Skip the exfoliation. During cancer treatment your skin cells do not turn over as rapidly so sloughing off skin can be damaging to the already fragile skin.
• Use gentle, fragrance-free soaps and laundry detergent. The more irritants you can avoid the better.
• Hand-foot syndrome is one side effect of chemotherapy that causes hands and feet to peel and turn red. To soothe, apply a thick ointment or balm and cover hands and feet with cotton gloves and socks before bed.