Dry Skin

During treatment skin can become flaky, red, and sometimes painful. It’s often caused by not having enough oil and water in the layers of the skin. Common causes of dry skin include dehydration, heat, cold, poor nutrition, and side effects of treatment.

Itchy Skin

Some treatments can cause Itching. Common causes of itching in people with cancer include dry skin, allergies, side effects of medicines, and cancer treatment. Other illnesses and certain kinds of cancer can also cause itching. Some patients experience a persistent itch in response to treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Severely itchy skin may make you restless and anxious. By continually scratching, you may also cause sores that make you vulnerable to infections. Using soothing products like a radiation burn cream can help calm irritation, protect sensitive skin, and support healing during and after treatment. Sometimes, the chemotherapies might result in painful conditions like hand-foot syndrome cream associated with chemotherapies, characterized by reddening and soreness of the palm and soles.

In your day-to-day routine:

• Keep your home well ventilated and the temperature set to a cool 60° to 70° F to avoid sweating.
• Wear loose-fitting soft clothes that won’t irritate your skin. Consider not only their softness but also their breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and how they feel against sensitive skin. Wear clothes with natural fabrics like 100% cotton underwear or bamboo tops which helps to minimize irritation and discomfort during chemotherapy. Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
• Get enough sleep. If the itch keeps you up at night, ask your care team or your pharmacist about whether you should take antihistamines.

Tips to help you avoid scratching your skin

• Apply cool, wet packs to the itchy areas.
• Keep your nails clean and short to reduce damage to your skin when you can’t help but scratch.
• If you find yourself scratching without noticing, consider wearing soft gloves.
• Instead of scratching the itch, try rubbing, vibration or pressure to avoid breaking the skin.
• Get your mind off the itch by reading, watching TV, listening to music, or engaging in social activities.
• Take anti-itch medications as directed.
• Ask your care team for more tips and advice. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe medications and recommend over-the-counter remedies.
• If you experience these other signs and symptoms that may come with treatment-related itch, contact your care team.

Skin Rash

A skin rash is a common side effect of certain types of cancer treatments. Rashes usually develop within a few weeks of receiving the treatment but can develop at any time during your treatment. “Chemo rash” simply refers to the various types of rashes that may develop in response to cancer treatment. In fact, not only chemotherapy, but also targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and bone marrow transplant may cause a rash. It tends to look like acne, and in some cases, it’s a sign that your treatment is working.