Dry skin

[jay2908]

I was wondering whether anyone else is suffering from dry skin post chemo/radio/operation?

It seems that my skin is quite delicate, especially on my hands. I seem to be acquiring small cuts all the time, which previously would not have resulted in more than a scratch.

Are there any supplements/creams that may help?

Many thanks,

Jay

[glenndo]

Hi Jay

I had very very dry hands during chemo (apparently a side effect) someone reccomended a simple cream like E45 & cooton gloves. I used to cream my hands and feet every night before bed & wear the cotton gloves all night to help keep moisture in.

Hope this helps

Glen

[jay2908]

Thanks Glen,

I will give it a go.

[Charlie36]

Hi Jay,

I have had rt recently on the throat area and the skin on my back and shoulders is dry and itchy. I use Aveno cream which you can buy at the Chemists or via the GP. Best to shower in something like Oilatum and use a specialist hand wash (Aveno does one). I would suggest you avoid products with sodium laurethate in as its strips the oils. You can also use a basic emollient to wash and shower with from the GP.

Hope it clears up soon.

[Spikey]

You don't say how long ago you had the chemo/radio/operation?

Like many patients, I had ECX chemotherapy prior to surgery. Initially, I suffered from peripheral neuropathy (pins and needles in my hands and feet), which is a common side effect. Then, about a year later, my finger nails dropped off, followed a month or so later by my toe nails, which is a less common side effect. Now, five years on, the skin on my hands is still dry and prone to cracking, especially around the finger nails, which are brittle and prone to splitting and breaking. I suspect that the damage done by the chemotherapy is permanent. The hospital recommended E45, which I still use occasionally, along with regular use of a strong hand cream.

Good luck.

[Hidden]

I know that some people do suffer from pink hands during chemo but I do not know whether it is an effect from specific drugs or not. I believe they put it down to their reaction to chemo being at the severe end of the scale.

[jay2908]

Yes, my hands tanned quite a bit. Looks like the e45 really helping. Wondering whether I also need to add something to my diet to help my skin.

[annrobertshaw]

I had really bad dry skin and very badly cracked heels during chemo, my chemo nurse recommended "udder cream" - it was apparently developed originally for cattle!

It is brilliant, I found it better than E45, the only problem is that it is so nice that the rest of the family kept using it as well, so I had to keep buying more. If you google it you will find it, I think that I got it from Amazon and it isn't expensive,

Ann

[jay2908]

Thanks, will get some now and give it a try.