3 Body Care Products To Soothe The Skin Sensitized By Chemotherapy Drugs
3 Body Care Products To Soothe The Skin Sensitized By Chemotherapy Drugs
Dr. Singhal’s Tips On How to Choose the Best Body Care Products While Undergoing Chemotherapy
Treating cancer with chemotherapy kills cancer cells, but unfortunately, many patients also have unwanted side effects, such as hair loss, dry skin, and brittle nails.
Coping With Side-effects
Watching your hair fall out can be especially distressing. “Generally, how we look is really important to most of us. The thought of losing hair can be especially devastating to some people,” says Dr. Shyamali Singhal.
But cancer patients have many ways to cope with such changes from cutting their hair short to moisturizing their skin regularly.
“It is important for people to know that there are many things that they can do to prevent these side effects,” says Dr. Singhal.
Chemo Can Cause Dry, Irritated Skin
Chemotherapy often causes dry, irritated skin. Rather than waiting to deal with symptoms after treatment starts, patients can take steps to minimize skin problems about one week before beginning chemo. Then, they can continue the regimen during treatment.
“There are many things that you can do to prevent that dry skin,” says Dr. Singhal. “People tend to think of dry skin as just a cosmetic problem, but ... dry skin can get so severely dry that it becomes inflamed and more susceptible to infections.”
"Cancer patients need to be aware of this possible side effect of certain chemotherapies. Obviously, it needs to be administered, but I think patients need to be closely monitored during and after treatment," said Dr. Singhal.
Tips On How To Prevent Skin Problems During Chemo
Hope & Beauty offers these tips to prevent skin problems during chemotherapy:
Avoid long, overly heated showers or baths.
Use gentle, fragrance-free soaps and laundry detergent.
Use moisturizers, preferably creams or ointments rather than lotions because the thicker consistency is better at inhibiting skin dehydration. Apply the cream or ointment within 15 minutes of showering. Reapply moisturizer at night, and moisturize your hands every time after you wash them.
If your skin is very dry and flaky, ammonium lactate cream can increase moisture. These creams are available by prescription and over-the-counter.
Some chemotherapy drugs make the skin more susceptible to sunburn. Use a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30, and make sure that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Protection against UVA requires ingredients such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or avobenzone.
Enjoying Outdoor Activities While On Chemo
Chemotherapy patients don’t need to stay indoors all the time. Just be smart about sun exposure. Use a broad-brimmed hat, sun-protective clothing, and an SPF of 30 reapplied every two hours if you’re outside. Wind and cold during colder months of the year can also cause skin problems. Protect your skin with appropriate clothing, and use moisturizers, such as Hydrating Serum by Hope & Beauty, a novel serum containing a specialized blend of antioxidants and moisture-binding ingredients to leave skin soft and ultra-hydrated. Essential for dry skin, yet beneficial for all skin types.
Itching is also common and can stem from multiple causes: the chemotherapy drug, a patient’s naturally dry skin (particularly in people over 50), or as a symptom of cancer itself.
While many patients aim for itch relief with over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams, they’re often too weak to be effective, says Dr. Singhal. Instead, doctors can treat itching with steroids or anesthetic medications applied to the skin. If itching interferes with sleep, oral medications might work.
Skin can also go through color changes during chemotherapy, particularly with breast or colon cancer treatment. Sometimes, the hands or face are affected, which can make a patient feel self-conscious. If this happens there are bleaching creams and exfoliants containing salicylic acid that can be tried, Dr. Singhal says. Newer chemo drugs can also cause rashes.
Changing Seasons Bring New Challenges In Body Care
Check with your doctor but, for most patients, it is fine to enjoy outdoors while undergoing chemo, Dr. Singhal says. However, prolonged hikes on physically demanding terrains might not be a good idea. They can cause more blood flow to the skin, which can lead to greater blood flow to areas of inflammation. “There’s no study that excessive exercise will make it worse, but we tend to err on the cautious side,” she says.
Body Care Products Recommended For Cancer Patients
This deodorant offers odor protection without any aluminum or metallic ingredients that may conflict with radiation therapy or aggravate the skin.
Alra Non-Metallic Deodorant is a unique, safe formulation of Lichen extract and Cypress oil, specially designed for individuals experiencing cancer treatment.
You will enjoy protection from odor and sweat with this gentle, yet efficient deodorant.
Our Non-Metallic Deodorant:
Provides effective protection against body odor and underarm wetness
Uses Oil of Cypress, which acts as a fragrant astringent
Also uses Alpine Lichen Extract, which is a natural bactericide and fungicide
It contains no aluminum, metallic salts, alum, or crystals which can interfere with your treatment.
Lindi Soothing Balm comes in an attractive pump bottle to give you a bit of moisturizing relief anytime.
Formulated to help manage intensely dry hands and feet, Lindi Soothing Balm is a very gentle lotion for strongly dehydrated areas of the skin. With an abundance of avocado oil, Soothing Balm is especially beneficial to unpleasant, cracked and flaying skin. It's also great at promoting relieve of distress from radiation burn and sunburns. It should be used while skin is still damp, but can be reapplied as often as needed.
