Managing Dry Skin and Cold Sensitivity During Chemotherapy

Your hands feel like sandpaper. Your feet are cold even under blankets. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Dry skin and cold sensitivity are among the most common side effects patients experience during chemotherapy. Understanding why these changes occur and how to manage them can significantly improve your comfort during treatment. These changes often appear within the first few treatment cycles and can persist throughout your treatment journey.

Why Chemotherapy Affects Your Skin

Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells throughout your body, including cancer cells and healthy cells like skin cells. The medications can reduce your skin's ability to retain moisture and regulate temperature, leading to dryness, flaking, and increased sensitivity to cold. Some chemotherapy drugs also reduce the activity of sweat and oil glands, making it harder for your skin to stay naturally hydrated.

Clothing Choices

Dry skin during chemotherapy often feels tight, itchy, and uncomfortable. Cold sensitivity is another common side effect, where patients experience tingling in their fingers and toes when exposed to cold temperatures. Even touching a cold glass or doorknob can feel uncomfortable. Some patients find they need to use a towel or oven mitt to grab items from the refrigerator during treatment. This happens because some chemotherapy medications affect the peripheral nerves in your extremities, making them more reactive to temperature changes. At Arizona Blood & Cancer Specialists, we help patients prepare for and manage these side effects from the start of treatment.

Tips for Managing Dry Skin

Moisturizing Basics:

  • Apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer multiple times throughout the day
  • Look for products containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin
  • Apply moisturizer right after bathing while your skin is still slightly damp
  • Use petroleum jelly on severely dry areas before bed 

Bathing and Washing:

  • Take shorter showers or baths using lukewarm water instead of hot water
  • Use gentle, fragrance-free soaps
  • Pat your skin dry gently instead of rubbing
  • Avoid products containing alcohol or harsh exfoliants

Beyond your skincare routine, small changes to your environment can make a big difference.

Home Comfort

Environmental Adjustments:

  • Use a humidifier in your home
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day

Tips for Managing Cold Sensitivity

  • Dress in layers so you can adjust based on the temperature
  • Wear mittens rather than gloves for better warmth
  • Keep warm socks and slippers nearby
  • Avoid walking barefoot on cold floors
  • Cover exposed skin when going outside in cooler weather

We've helped hundreds of patients navigate these side effects and can provide personalized strategies that fit your specific treatment plan. If you're experiencing severe dryness, cold sensitivity, or any other concerning symptoms during your cancer treatment, contact us to discuss management strategies tailored to your specific needs.

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