You may have minor skin problems while you are having chemotherapy , such as redness, rashes, itching, peeling, dryness, acne, and increased sensitivity to the sun. Certain anticancer drugs, when given intravenously (IV), may cause the skin all along the vein to darken, especially in people who have very dark skin. Some people use makeup to cover the area, but this can take a lot of time if several veins are affected. The darkened areas will fade a few months after treatment ends. Also, some anticancer therapies may cause sever rash that usually goes away once the medication is stopped.
Your nails may also become darkened, yellow, brittle, or cracked. They also may develop vertical lines or bands.
Most of these problems are not serious and you can take care of them yourself. A few need immediate attention. Certain drugs given via IV can cause serious and permanent tissue damage if they leak out of the vein. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you feel any burning or pain when you are getting IV drugs. These symptoms do not always mean there is a problem, but they must always be checked at once. Don't hesitate to call your doctor about even the less serious symptoms.
Some symptoms may mean you are having an allergic reaction that may need to be treated at once. Call your doctor or nurse right away if:
To manage acne:
To manage itching and dryness:
To manage nail problems:
To manage sunlight sensitivity:
Even people with dark skin need to protect themselves from the sun during chemotherapy.
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
BC Cancer Agency
http://www.bccancer.bc
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca
References:
National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov .
Payne, AS, James, WD, Weiss, RB. Dermatologic toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. Semin Oncol 2006; 33:86.
Remlinger, KA. Cutaneous reactions to chemotherapy drugs: the art of consultation. Arch Dermatol 2003; 139:77.
Susser, WS, Whitaker-Worth, DL, Grant-Kels, JM. Mucocutaneous reactions to chemotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol 1999; 40:367.
Last reviewed March 2008 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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