Skin changes and cancer

Cancer treatment can often affect your skin, hair and nails. These changes are very common and may include:

• Dry or itchy skin
• Rashes
• Changes to skin colour (hyperpigmentation)
• Hair loss
• Tender or split nails
• Cracks in the skin on your hands or soles of feet.

Patients are often the first to notice these changes to skin and it is important to let your healthcare team know so they can help. Some skin reactions may appear differently on various skin tones.

• On white/lighter skin: the skin may appear pink, red or darker than the surrounding area
• On brown skin: the skin may appear maroon or darker than surrounding area
• On black skin: the skin may appear darker than surrounding area, you also may see yellow/purple/grey colour changes to your skin tone.

It is equally important to look for changes in your skin tone or texture that are different for you.

Some cancer treatments can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it is important to protect your skin when you are outdoors. This means using SPF daily (even in the winter).

Simple tips on how to look after your skin during cancer treatment:

• Avoid soap-based products as these are likely to make your skin more dry.
• Avoid fragranced products as these may irritate your skin.
• Avoid very hot showers or bath- Keep the water lukewarm instead.
• Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it.
• Moisturise when your skin is damp as this helps lock in moisturise.

When moisturising, use products containing ingredients such as urea, hyaluronic acid, shea butter and glycerin as these help draw water into your skin and keep it hydrated.

Sun protection

There are many important reasons to use sun protection daily.

• Many cancer treatments make your skin more sensitive to the sun – this happens with all skin types.
• Sun exposure during some cancer treatments can aggravate hyperpigmentation
• Using daily SPF helps to protects you from developing skin cancers.

Apply SPF 30-50 after moisturising. Look for broad spectrum SPFs with both UVA and UVB protection.

General tips and tricks:

• Use a non-fragranced moisturising hand and foot cream every day. A simple trick is to place your handcream next to the sinks you use regularly. Apply after washing your hands.
• Wear gloves if washing up or gardening to protect your hands and nails.
• Avoid having nail extensions or “shellac” during cancer treatment in order to minimise damage to your nails.
• Use fragrance-free laundry detergents
• Avoid AHAs/BHAs (alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acids) if you have sensitive skin

Examples of brands to consider that contain the recommended ingredients (in no particular order): Altruist, Aveeno, Avene, Bioderma, Cetaphil, Cetraben, Eucerin, Hydromol, La Roche Posay

You might find it helpful to try different makeup tips during your cancer treatment. The charity Look good feel better deliver workshops led by specialists to provide guidance and advice to help people manage the cosmetic and physical impacts of their treatment.

To book a place on a workshop please book on their website

A leading cancer support charity – Look Good Feel Better : Look Good Feel Better

Or contact them on 01372 747 500 or by email on info@lgfb.co.uk

Resources

Further information on skin and nail changes can be found on the Macmillan website

They have also developed a booklet sharing advice for skin, nails and hair during cancer treatment and an easy read booklet Be safe in the sun – easy read

This short film discusses skin care during radiotherapy and has been interpreted into British Sign Language (BSL).

La Roche-Posay  and Macmillan have a partnership to promote skin care during cancer treatment, their advice can be accessed here.