It’s day 18 of my first chemo cycle and the challenges this week have been memory issues, nausea, fatigue, hair loss and irritated skin. In three days, I will be having my second round of Docetaxel (Taxotere) and Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). This week has not been as bad as week one and two, but I’m far from a normal life.
I mentioned in my last post that I have a chemo burn on my right foot. It has yet to heal and there are remnants of the rash on my left foot that started on chemo day. That’s just been the tip of the iceberg. As one may guess, chemotherapy can cause various changes to your skin, such as dryness, redness, itching, peeling, or rashes. To protect and soothe my skin during treatment, I went in search of relief. Here are some suggestions I found:
- Cleansing – use only gentle, fragrance-free, and low pH cleansers on your skin. This is no joke when the irritation hits. Pretty much everything is going to irritate everywhere. I already had sensitive skin and always shopped quality products, but even my normal Philosophy Purity for my face irritated the crap out of my skin. My Neutrogena Rainbath was too overpowering with fragrance. And, the bar soaps and cleansers that I have on hand are a no go. These lovely products will have to wait until after treatment. I’m opting for Aveeno products as one of the recommended products by my MO (medical oncologist).
- Moisturizing – is a head-to-toe project for me. It is essential to apply a moisturizer that is rich in hydration, such as creams or ointments twice a day or more as needed. I heard that you can use mineral oil or baby oil to lock in moisture, but using the Neutrogena body oil didn’t work out because of fragrance and baby oil is just a mess. Some of the best lotions are Lindi Skin Body Lotion, Oncoderm Chemotherapy Cream, and CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (which is a Godsend). Even with the good stuff there’s still going to be irritation. I guess it’s part of the price of getting better.
- Protection – is a must. It may sound obvious, at least for me being super fair skinned and having had to always protect it, but it’s important for everyone going through treatment to protect yourself from the sun. It’s recommended to wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen, lip balm, a wide-brimmed hat, and long-sleeved clothes. Avoid tanning beds and limit exposure to sunlight during peak hours. I’ve opted to not be outside much, which is not a problem since I have felt so bad from the side effects and have had little energy.
- Water – drink plenty of water or other fluids to keep your skin hydrated from within. It’s not that hard to do for me since pretty much anything else tastes awful sans tea (green tea is recommended). Unless your doctor advises otherwise, aim for 2 to 3 quarts of fluids per day. My MO said a minimum of 64 ounces of water per day in addition to anything else you may drink, juice, tea, etc.
For any open sores, cracks, or blisters on the skin, it is recommended by MO’s to clean them with mild soap and water and cover them with a clean bandage. Check them regularly for signs of infection and contact your doctor if you notice any worsening symptoms.
These are some general guidelines for skin care during chemo from one patient to another, so you should always consult your doctor or nurse before using any products or treatments on your skin. They may have specific recommendations or prescriptions for your individual care. Remember that taking care of your skin is not only important for your appearance, but also for your comfort and well-being.
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