Cancer chemotherapy makes skin itchy

One of the side effects of chemotherapy for lymph node cancer and leukemia (blood cancer) is itchy skin. Itching is not dangerous, but over time it can cause sleep disturbances and stress. In addition, blood cancer patients have weak resistance and are easily infected. Itchy skin that is constantly scratched can cause sores and infection. So, how to deal with itchy skin during cancer chemotherapy?

How to deal with itchy skin during cancer chemotherapy

• Try to keep your skin moisturized. Dry skin is easy to get irritated and itchy, so you should moisturize it with a variety of skin moisturizers, which are certainly safe. To find out whether your moisturizing product is safe, you should first consult your doctor. Use a skin moisturizer 2-3 times a day.
• Avoid using skin care products that contain alcohol and perfume. The reason is, products like this tend to make your skin dry easily.
• Bathing in water that is lukewarm, or equivalent to body temperature. Avoid bathing with water that is a bit hot, this will dry out the skin and make the itching more pronounced.
• Avoid being so hot that you sweat. It's best to rest in a cool room.
• Don't forget to meet your daily fluid needs
• Wear comfortable, loose, and soft clothing

Itchy skin don't scratch! Try to do this

When skin itches, your first instinct will tell you to scratch it. However, scratching the skin can actually make the itching worse and actually irritate and irritate the skin. This makes you more susceptible to infection with bacteria and viruses from the surrounding environment.

So, as much as possible do not scratch the skin when the itching appears. It's not easy and it makes annoyed, but the following tips can help you withstand it:

• When you feel itchy in one part of your body, immediately apply the skin moisturizer you have.
• If the itching doesn't go away, instead of scratching, you can compress the itchy area with a towel soaked in cold water or massage it.
• Always make sure that your nails are short and clipped. Sometimes, you can unconsciously scratch, if the nail is still long, then the risk for irritation is greater.
• Distract yourself with other activities when the itching comes, such as trying to relax by listening to a soothing song or reading a book.
• Taking drugs that can reduce itching. For this, it is better to first discuss with your doctor whether you need drugs or not and what types of drugs are safe for you to take during chemotherapy.

If the itching gets worse, talk to your doctor immediately

Chemotherapy and blood cancer that you are experiencing can indeed cause this itching sensation. However, you should immediately talk to your doctor about these symptoms if they don't go away. The reason is, you may indeed experience allergies to the chemotherapy drugs that are being given. So, contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• The itching doesn't go away for more than 2 days
• The skin is irritated and there are open sores on that part
• Reddened skin area
• Suddenly the skin turns yellow and the urine also turns a yellow-brown color
• The skin gets itchier especially after being given a skin moisturizer
• Difficulty sleeping and always restless
• Experiencing other symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling of the face or throat