During cancer treatment, some patients experience skin changes that vary — from mild skin pigmentation, rashes, dry skin and itchiness, to painful, potentially serious lesions.
Commonly called “chemo rash,” skin changes are one of the most common side effects of a variety of cancer treatments — not just chemotherapy, but also radiation therapy, immunotherapy, some targeted therapies and stem cell transplants.
The rash typically develops on the face, scalp, neck, palms, soles of the feet, back or chest, but can show up anywhere on the body.
What’s the first step to dealing with it?
“Patient education and reinforcing the need to pay attention to skin reactions is important and the first step to helping manage the side effect,” said Endeavor Health hematology/oncology specialist Sowji Vuyyala, MD.
It’s essential to pay close attention to your symptoms and report, in detail, things like whether the rash is localized, extent of involvement, if it turns into blisters or develops pus, how quickly it’s spreading and if it’s painful or itchy.
“Timing is important,” said Dr. Vuyyala who urges patients to report side effects as soon as they begin. This will help their physician determine the best steps to manage them.
Some drugs are known to likely cause skin rashes, and your clinical team will explain this to you before you begin treatment so you know what to expect, explained Dr. Vuyyala.
Sometimes cancer itself can also present like a skin rash, although this is rare. Again, it’s vitally important to call your doctor with these changes and new or painful side effects, said Dr. Vuyyala.
How are skin changes treated?
Treatment for the skin changes depends on the type and severity. It could be as simple as using a topical steroid along with some antibiotics, or, for more extreme cases, it could mean a reduced medication dose or changing to a different drug,” said Dr. Vuyyala.
“There are so many variables depending on the type of drug and potentially other underlying issues or problems the patient may be experiencing,” she added.
Some chemo medications are also known to increase skin sensitivity to sun, called photosensitivity. The skin changes look like sunburn. It is imperative for patients to use good sunscreen and/or protective clothing.
Some things you can do to protect your skin while the lesions are healing include:
- Keep the skin clean and moisturized.
- Use mild cleansers and gentle moisturizers.
- Avoid products with strong fragrances, irritating chemicals or alcohol, such as perfumes and colognes.
- Protect the affected area from extreme hot or cold temperatures.
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