5 Best Body Products For Men Undergoing Chemotherapy And Radiation
5 Best Body Products For Men Undergoing Chemotherapy And Radiation
Dr. Singhal’s Selection Of Products Appropriate For Men Undergoing Chemo
While radiation therapy itself does not hurt, there can be short-term side effects to fight with, which can affect your hair, skin, sleep, appetite, and emotions, too. In Dr. Singhal’s experience, side effects vary from patient to patient. Men have their own, at times distinct sets of side-effects to deal with.
Every Patient Responds Differently To Chemotherapy
Depending on how your body responds to therapy, you may have no issues or encounter some mild distress. Yet, some people may have more serious side effects—it depends mostly on the treatment dose and the part of your body that is being treated. Men usually pay less attention to body care, so some of these symptoms can be more prone to appear.
Cancer patients’ general health also can affect how their body reacts to radiation therapy, including whether they have side effects and what sort. Before starting the therapy, patients should talk with their radiation oncologist about the short- and long-term side effects that might arise.
Some cancer treatments may cause changes to skin, hair, and nails
Different treatments may have a different effect on your appearance:
Chemotherapy is the most common cause of changes to hair, skin, and nails. Cancer patients may lose hair from any area of the body. Men are already more likely to have alopecia, so chemo is not making things better in that area. Chemotherapy can sometimes make nails brittle and lined. During treatment, it is normal for the skin to become drier and more delicate.
Hormonal therapy may affect your skin, hair, and nails. You may endure dry skin and rashes. These effects are usually moderate. In Dr. Singhal’s experience, some targeted therapies can cause dryness, rashes and raised sensitivity to the skin. These treatments can cause hair loss from the head but may cause hair to grow thicker in other areas. You can talk to your cancer nurse specialist about specific changes.
Radiotherapy may cause changes to your skin and hair in the areas being treated. Speak to your radiotherapy team about products to use on affected areas.
What Can We Do To Relieve Some Of The Unwanted Symptoms Of Chemotherapy
Healthy skin is essential for our physical well-being. Remember that our skin is our largest organ and protects us from many of the germs and elements that can be harmful to our health.
The most common problem for patients during and after chemotherapy therapy is dry, itchy and even scaly skin. Dry, irritated and sensitive skin may lead to eczema, itching, and sores that can become infected. There are some ways to manage these conditions by changing and or adding a few simple steps to your daily routine. Here is what Dr. Singhal advises cancer patients to do to relieve some of the distress caused by their therapy:
Drink plenty of water to hydrate (if you have not been told to limit how much fluid you take in).
Employ only those products that you know are gentle on your skin. These are products that do not have strong perfumes or vexatious ingredients. Try out our Hydrating Toner Spray to give the skin an extra boost of hydration while offering antioxidant protection.
Use warm, not hot, water when bathing or showering.
If your skin is extremely dry, flaking or scaling, use a soft washcloth to gently cleanse and exfoliate the skin. Still, do not do this on areas of skin that are irritated or split open. If you are having radiation, do not do this in your treatment area.
Tap your skin dry—do not rub.
Always utilize an intensely hydrating moisturizer right after you dry off. Applying lotion when your skin is damp helps it absorb better.
Try a moisturizer that contains ceramides such as Hydrate Gel or organic oils such as coconut, sesame or olive oils.
Apply a moisturizer a few times throughout the day if possible, including after you wash your hands and before you go to bed.
Protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF of 30 or higher any time you are outdoors or are in direct sunlight. Dr. Singhal recommends Broad Spectrum SPF 30.
Reapply sunscreen every two hours if you are in direct sunlight, in water or sweating heavily.
Keep Your Skin Moisturized
It’s important to keep skin clean and moisturize often to minimize reactions. Dr. Singhal recommends Body Therapy or Lindi Soothing Balm, to smooth and moisturize rough, dry skin. Other skincare tips include wearing loose-fitting cotton clothes, avoiding perfumes and shaving in the treatment area, and wearing sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher when you go outdoors. Always consult your doctor if a skin condition worsens or is accompanied by a fever, chills, or increased pain.
Few of the big-name, over-the-counter dry skin remedies come close to providing relief at the level that’s needed, but there are several lotions for cancer patients that have either been developed specifically for chemo and radiation burns or have been found to be particularly helpful.