The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type of chemotherapy and the amount given. Anticipating and managing side effects can help to minimize them and provide the best possible experience for the person receiving chemotherapy.
As each person's individual medical profile and diagnosis is different, so is his or her reaction to treatment. Side effects may be severe, mild, or absent. Be sure to discuss with your cancer care team possible side effects of treatment before the treatment begins.
Chemotherapy can affect both the skin and nails. It may cause an increased sensitivity to the sun as well as redness, rashes, itching, peeling, dryness, or acne. Nails may become darkened, yellow, brittle, or cracked, and may also develop vertical lines or ridges.
Sometimes, chemotherapy causes the skin along the vein to darken, especially in people who have very dark skin. Cosmetics or makeup may be used to cover the darkened area, but this can take a lot of time if more than one vein is affected. After treatment ends, the darkened areas often fade over time.
Although some side effects can be self-managed, others require immediate medical attention. If you are receiving intravenous (IV) drugs, be sure that you immediately report any burning or pain to your doctor. Sometimes, intravenous drugs can leak out of the vein, potentially causing tissue damage. These symptoms need to be reported to your doctor or nurse right away.
Other skin and nail symptoms may indicate an allergic reaction. Tell your doctor or cancer care team immediately if you develop sudden or severe itching, rash or hives, wheezing, or any other labored breathing.
The National Cancer Institute recommends the following strategies for reducing skin and nail problems related to chemotherapy:
If you develop a rash or have sudden severe itching, call your doctor. Ask your health providers what other symptoms require an immediate call to the office. Try to remember that as difficult as skin and nail problems can be, most do go away after treatment.
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