Summer And Chemo: What To Know?

If you or a loved one is undergoing chemo, here are some summer care tips

Summer is here, and it’s high time to hit the beach, have a pool party, go for a swim, have ice creams and snow cones and just hang out with friends in a garden on sunny days. Apart from all the fun, cancer patients will also need to take precautions to protect sensitive skin from the sun. Sun’s rays partly consist of harmful UVA rays. Staying out in the sun may cause skin burns, skin irritation, outbreaks of acne and pimples, tanning of the skin, excessive sweating and dehydration. Those people who daily have to work under the sun have higher chances of getting skin cancer in the future.Dr. Shyamali Singhal knows that sun can be hard on sensitive skin, especially so with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. That’s why she has been concentrating on how to help those patients in taking care of their skin. 

Try To Stay Out of the Sun

The sun’s rays are its peak from 10 am until 3 pm and in some latitudes from 11 am until 4 pm. This is the time when the rays of the sun are the hottest and most harmful. Cancer patients should absolutely avoid going out in the sun at all, if possible.

Warm weather beckons most people to spend more time outdoors. But, whether cancer patients are on a well-deserved vacation or just enjoying the summer months, if they are living with cancer, heat, sun, and outside activities can present certain challenges. With planning and proper precautions, however, cancer patients can still enjoy outdoor fun on warm, sunny days. Certain forms of chemotherapy can make patients more sensitive to the sun. A classic example is 5-fluorouracil, says Dr. Shyamali Singhal. Even if cancer patients are not receiving this form of chemotherapy, they may feel more sensitive to the sun.

Tips For Skin Care During Summer

For cancer patients that are undergoing some sort of cancer treatment or have recently completed treatment, summer activities and weather can raise concerns about looks or how to take care of one self in a proper way. These tips below will surely help cancer patients in protecting their skin in the sun.

• Avoid Excess Sun Exposure: Certain forms of chemotherapy and radiation make patients skin more sensitive to the sun. Limit  sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply it often, especially after sweating or swimming. If you've lost your hair due to chemo, wear a hat or use a sun umbrella.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink cold water and iced beverages throughout the day to stay hydrated. However, make sure to avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine, as they can trigger hot flashes and cause dehydration.

• Wear Lightweight Wigs: Buy a wig that fits your summer lifestyle. It might help to cut your hair short or shave your head while your hair is falling out to stay cool and ensure a better wig fit. Also, consider wearing a lightweight, synthetic wig during the hot summer months or a lightweight headscarf.

• Swim with Caution: Chemotherapy and radiation can cause skin sensitivity that reacts to chemicals such as chlorine. In addition, hot tubs, saunas and other communal baths are generally not recommended for immunosuppressed patients since bacteria and other microorganisms thrive in warm water. If you’ve had breast cancer surgery, companies like Amoena make bathing suits designed just for you.

• Fight Fatigue: Heat can worsen cancer-related fatigue. Try to stay in an air-conditioned space or limit the amount of time you are exposed to heat. If you’re outside, drink cold beverages and seek shade when possible.

• Garden with Gloves: Routine flower and vegetable gardening is permissible using some infection precautions. Wear gloves when touching dirt and soil and wash your hands immediately after. If you’re walking through areas where soil, dust and fungal spores are found in the air, consider wearing a mask.

• Talk with your doctor: Before you partake in any summer activity or travel, talk with your doctor about proper safety precautions, and the best options during your cancer care. 

Protecting The Skin

A little bit of sunshine can also help your body process vitamin D, which is important for bone health. Just 10 minutes of outdoor light each day is enough. But too much sun exposure can be dangerous. It can cause skin cancer, cataracts, wrinkles, and painful burns that may permanently damage skin. It can also make side effects of some chemotherapy worse. While not always predictable, chemotherapies can also cause some people to become sensitive to sunlight, leading to increased skin reaction, tanning, and burning. Intense sun exposure can also weaken the immune system even more than treatment has already. Skin in an area that's receiving radiation therapy should be protected from the sun with a bathing suit or other clothing, since the skin may already be red or burned from the treatments.

Chemo Companion skin care products are  suitable for sensitive skin. We hand select products that are uniquely compatible with the skin and body to ensure the best results are achieved. Dr. Shyamali recommends using Emu Oil: Very Dry Sensitive Skin, as a relief for very dry skin under most conditions, including while receiving chemo or radiation therapy for cancer treatment.