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Information for Patients and Caregivers
Cancer and Treatment-Related
Skin Problems
What are treatment-related skin problems?
Skin changes are among the most common side effects during chemotherapy. These problems are typically short-lived, and by observing a few precautions and paying special attention to skin care, they are usually manageable. Surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy can put you at risk for skin problems or increased skin sensitivity. For example, you will experience a temporary disruption to the surface of the skin and some change in the sensation of the skin where an incision was made. Both chemotherapy and radiation therapy can slow how rapidly skin can repair itself. Radiation therapy will effect the skin like the sun, redness, swelling, tenderness can occur just like being out in the sun all day, which will slowly deepen into a darker skin tone just like a sun tan. This effect can be the same for people of all skin tones and ethnic backgrounds.
Chemotherapy can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, cause some unique discolorations and a change in sensation (numbness, odd tingling) as well as result in a muscular or papular rash. Epidermal growth factors such as cetaximab cause problems.
How do people describe skin problems?
Skin problems brought about by chemotherapy tend to affect skin overall, while problems caused by radiation therapy are almost always limited to the area being treated.
Individuals who are receiving radiation treatments have described skin as being reddened, sunburned or tanned.
The skin care problems associated with chemotherapy are similar to those caused by radiation. Other words used to describe skin conditions include rash, pustular, itching dryness, swelling (edema), or weeping. Skin reactions are an expected side effect of radiation therapy. People with skin problems following surgery might describe signs of infection as redness, warmth, swelling, pus formation and drainage, pain, or tenderness at the incision site.
What happens to people when they experience skin problems?
At the beginning of treatment, your skin may not look or feel different. After two or three weeks of radiation therapy, you may begin to experience some redness or dryness of the skin in the area being treated. After chemotherapy begins, some people may experience redness to their hands and feet (often accompanied by tenderness or pain) with 5-FU and Xeloda. In addition, your skin will be more sensitive to sunburn while taking chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
What causes skin problems?
All skin is made by rapidly growing cells in the dermis (part of the skin just under the surface layer). All rapidly growing cell repair is slowed by chemotherapy (total body effect) and radiation therapy (treatment area effect only). Skin is your first defense against many types of infections, so keeping your skin as healthy as possible is very important.
How do people cope with treatment-related skin problems?
Here are some tips to help you cope with skin problems
- Here are some tips to help you cope with skin problems
- Wear loose, soft cotton garments
- Wear SPF 30-45 sunscreen, such as Antihelios, when outside on sunny or cloudy days, even if you are wearing long sleeves and long pants because of your increased sensitivity to the sun. Use a hat.
- If possible, avoid the hot sun between the hours of 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense. If you must be out during these times, a wide-brimmed hat or an umbrella is a must.
- Use water-based make-up.
- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily to keep skin hydrated.
- Eat a well-balanced diet, including 4 oz. of protein per day, to promote healing.
- Wash your clothes and other fabrics that come in direct contact with your skin in mild, hypoallergenic detergents (Dreft and Tide make a hypoallergenic laundry soap, but you have to read the label to be sure you buy the right one).
- Use a mild moisturizing soap (Dove, Ivory Skin Cleansing Liquid Gel, Cetaphil, and Neutrogena are gentle). Avoid perfumed soaps they generally dry the skin.
- Avoid exposing your skin to temperature extremes, such as the use of hot lamps, ice packs, hot water bottles, heating pads or electric blankets.
- Use an electric razor, and do not shave within radiation-treated areas.
- Wear light, cotton gloves when gardening or doing outdoor work, rubber or latex gloves when washing dishes. Strong gloves will help avoid skin contact with harsh chemicals, which can further damage your skin.
- Bland emollients for dry skin such as Eucerin Cream, Cetaphil Cream, Bag Balm, Udder Cream, Zim’s Crack Crème, Aquaphor Ointment, Neutrogenia, or Vaseline Intensive Care (dye-free lotions and alcohol free).
- For itching use the bland emollients listed above and Aveeno baths, Gold Bond Powder, and Sweet Cream.
- For cracks and fissures use Band-Aid Brand Liquid Bandage, Bag Balm, and Zim’s Crack Crème.
What can family members and friends do to help with skin
problems?
- Ask family members or friends to help remind you to drink water throughout the day
- Ask family members or friends to help remind you to wear sunscreen when outside.
- Ask family members or friends to help with chores around the house.
- Ask family members or friends to help select proper lotions for dryness and aging.
How can I talk with my family members about my skin problems?
- Describe how having skin problems makes you feel.
- Ask your family member how your skin problem is affecting
them.
- Ask family members for support or suggestions to help
prevent increased skin problems.
- Tell family members what feels good or helps the skin
problem.
What should I report to my doctor or nurse?
- Fever of 100.5 F or greater.
- Increased warmth to the affected area
- Any drainage or pus that is new from a wound site or from the skin rash.
- Rash or other skin irritation that will not go away and becomes infected.
- Any blister formation.
- Pain that increasingly interferes with your ability
to do daily activities.
- Severe and unmanageable itching.
Where can I get more information?
References
http//www.thebreastcaresite.com
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