Chemo Dry Skin - Worse in Winter

The weather outside is frightful, and seeing what it does to my skin, might just be a nightmare for those of you going through lung cancer treatment. Dry skin, rashes, and acne-like symptoms aren’t just a sign that you are cranking up your thermostat– they are very real symptoms of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

What can you do to ease that itchy reptilian feeling during the winter with lung cancer. (As we dream of more daylight and a time when humidity is loathed rather than celebrated?)

Here are a few simple tips that can help anyone with winter dry skin:

• Use creams to ease dryness (creams work better than lotions in general.) If you are like me and are concerned about chemicals that might be irritating in body products, check out the Environmental Working Groups site www.safecosmetics.org. to find a product that does not contain irritating chemicals.
• Apply creams after showering before your skin has a chance to dry completely.
• Select fabrics such as cotton for clothing – wool can irritate and add to that itchy feeling.
• Try an oatmeal bath. Many people find that oatmeal baths ease the discomfort of winter itching – especially when it is worsened by cancer treatments.

For further tips, check out Coping With Skin Changes During Lung Cancer Treatment