Skin and Nail Changes due to Chemo

Some types of chemotherapy can damage the fast-growing cells in your skin and nails. While these changes may be painful and annoying, most are minor and do not require treatment. Many of them will get better once you have finished chemotherapy. However, major skin changes need to be treated right away because they can cause life-long damage.
Minor skin changes may include:

• Itching, dryness, redness, rashes, and peeling
• Darker veins. Your veins may look darker when you get chemotherapy through an IV.
• Sensitivity to the sun (when you burn very quickly). This can happen even to people who have very dark skin color.
• Nail problems. This is when your nails become dark, turn yellow, or become brittle and cracked. Sometimes your nails will loosen and fall off, but new nails will grow back in.

Major skin changes can be caused by:

• Radiation recall. Some chemotherapy causes skin in the area where you had radiation therapy to turn red (ranging from very light to bright red). Your skin may blister, peel, or be very painful.
• Chemotherapy leaking from your IV. You need to let your doctor or nurse know right away if you have burning or pain when you get IV chemotherapy.
• Allergic reactions to chemotherapy. Some skin changes mean that you are allergic to the chemotherapy. Let your doctor or nurse know right away if you have sudden and severe itching, rashes, or hives, along with wheezing or other trouble breathing.
• Itching, dryness, redness, rashes, and peeling
• Apply cornstarch, as you would dusting powder.
• Take quick showers or sponge baths instead of long, hot baths.
• Pat (do not rub) yourself dry after bathing.
• Wash with a mild, moisturizing soap.
• Put on cream or lotion while your skin is still damp after washing. Tell your doctor or nurse if this does not help.
• Do not use perfume, cologne, or aftershave lotion that has alcohol.
• Take a colloidal oatmeal bath (special powder you add to bath water) when your whole body itches
• Keep your face clean and dry.
• Ask your doctor or nurse if you can use medicated creams or soaps and which ones to use.

Sensitivity to the sun

• Avoid direct sunlight. This means not being in the sun from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It is the time when the sun is strongest.
• Use sunscreen lotion with an SPF (skin protection factor) of 15 or higher. Or use ointments that block the sun's rays, such as those with zinc oxide.
• Keep your lips moist with a lip balm that has an SPF of 15 or higher.
• Wear light-colored pants, long-sleeve cotton shirts, and hats with wide brims.
• Do not use tanning beds
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• Nail problems
  • Wear gloves when washing dishes, working in the garden, or cleaning the house.
  • Use products to make your nails stronger. (Stop using these products if they hurt your nails or skin.)
  • Let your doctor or nurse know if your cuticles are red and painful.
  • Protect the area of your skin that received radiation therapy from the sun, and do not use tanning beds.
  • Place a cool, wet cloth where your skin hurts.
  • Wear clothes that are made of cotton or other soft fabrics. This includes your underwear (bras, underpants, and t-shirts).
  • Let your doctor or nurse know if you think you have radiation recall