- With Mayo Clinic nurse educator
Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
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Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
Sheryl M. Ness
Sheryl Ness, R.N., O.C.N., is a nurse educator for the Cancer Education Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She helps inform patients, families and caregivers about services and resources to help them through the cancer journey.
She has a master's degree in nursing from Augsburg College. In addition, she is an assistant professor of oncology at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and is certified as a specialist in oncology nursing. Sheryl has worked for more than 20 years at Mayo Clinic as an educator. She has a keen interest in the importance of the quality of life and concerns of people living with cancer.
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Living with cancer blog
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Aug. 21, 2010
Skin care important for cancer survivors
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
As a cancer survivor you may be experiencing skin changes due to current or past cancer treatments, including traditional chemotherapy, radiation treatment or oral agents (such as biological therapies).
With traditional chemotherapy, you might notice changes to the mucous membrane (the tissues in your mouth and throat), such as dry mouth, taste changes and difficulty swallowing. Skin discoloration and changes in skin texture are also common. You may also experience hand-foot syndrome with skin blistering and peeling.
Radiation treatments can cause symptoms at the site of the treatment, including dryness, itching, redness and thinning of the skin. Normally with radiation, skin changes start after treatment begins and may intensify during and after treatment.
With biological therapies, you may notice a rash and acne-like changes. You may notice that these symptoms change and improve over time.
Some practical suggestions for taking care of your skin during and after treatment include:
- Use a moisturizer that does not include alcohol and extra perfumes.
- Drink plenty of water every day.
- When you shower and bathe, keep the water tepid and not too hot.
- Use moisturizer after showering and before bedtime.
- Use sunscreen before going outdoors.
- Include healthy foods and oils in your diet to keep your skin healthy from the inside out.
- Ask your doctor about any skin changes that do not improve, have changed or are bleeding.
- If you are experiencing extreme changes, talk with your cancer treatment team. Many times they can evaluate the need for steroid creams or antibiotics to alleviate the symptoms.
- If you have mouth symptoms, eat soft foods and foods that are easy to swallow, drink liquids that are nutritious and soothing, and rinse your mouth frequently. Use a soothing lip balm to keep lips moisturized.
Ask your health care team what to expect for your specific cancer treatment. Knowing what to except will help you plan to manage any side effects during initial treatment as well as those that may last into the post-treatment period.
17 comments posted
April 25, 2013 5:50 p.m.
I am highly impressed by the information on health and various tips for maintaining good health.My sincere thanks and congratulations to all the people associated with this humanitarian, missionary work.
- A P PATEL
October 16, 2012 7:09 a.m.
I want to know the best skin care treatment after chemotherapy.Is there any? beauty products cancer
- Aaron Fredman
June 26, 2012 10:00 a.m.
Excellent work. You have a lot good stuff in the blog. I have already bookmarked your blog for the future reference...Huggies
- Shoeb
May 22, 2012 1:11 a.m.
i am really glad I've found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is really annoying. A good blog with interesting content, that is what I need. Thank you for keeping this web-site, I will be visiting it.
- skin care
January 9, 2012 1:06 p.m.
RE:Skin Care Important for Cancer Survivors. The right products make a world of difference. Products for sensitive skin that are fragrance-free and affordable. There is a consumer advocate, Paula Begoun, that can steer you to the best products for your individual needs,check out her websites: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/paula-begoun-abou
t.aspx and http://www.beautypedia.com/aboutUs.aspx I have NO connection with these sites other than being a loyal fan and consumer for the past decade! I think of Paula as the Consumer Reports for cosmetics. - Cheri
March 9, 2011 8:16 p.m.
Re: Herceptin, have been on it for one year and just started my second year. It has kept my stage IV,ERPR, NEG. HER2 + metastatic breast cancer in remission, thank-you Jesus. Have started having raised red bumps on my belly, that look similar to a mosquito bite. Anyone experience anything similar??? the first set went away but after my next treatment of herceptin, they came back. Had 8 cycles of chemo from 3/10-8/10, lumpectomy and now Herceptin every 3 weeks.
- Peggy
March 4, 2011 7:25 p.m.
The article on cancer recurrence was especically interresting to me as that is where I am at. For me it has been completely deviasting. I handled it quit well the first time even thought I new it was terminal metastsis nsclc (lungs) I was off Chemotherapy for almost a year and knew it would return no matter what they did. It was just so much harder the 2nd time to hear the diagnois. Your artile helped me releaize that this can be a normal reaction. I thank you for that. I am now on my 2nd treatment and feeling very good mentally and physically. I know how lucky (blessed) I am since I should have been dead 3 years ago. Hope this inspires someone else to try and see that you can try and beat it again. Two weeks ago I was talking with Hospice and today I have great hope that I can live a productive life again if I can just get through the treatments with a positive attitude, prayers and of course God's will is for that to happen.
- GLORIA
October 28, 2010 9:40 a.m.
While it isn't funny, I am still amazed that my hair is gone, herpes prevails, chemo brain, etc., but that darn acne can still hang on... my sense of humor is greatly intact and I am thankful to still be able to make those around me smile and laugh, even with a pimple...it helps! I have found that wearing simple cotton gloves to keep my hands away from my face helps and may keep germs somewhat at bay during the cold and flu season. Thought opening those produce bags was a challenge, try it with gloves! :) Be well...and smile! Look for good things every day.
- -Camille
October 10, 2010 5:36 p.m.
When looking for lotions for extra lubrication, just make sure there is no water or mineral oil in the lotions. Water dillutes all ingredients and mineral oil is only a surface lubricator which doesn't penetrate but instead only clogs pores. Look for products that contain organically grown aloe vera as the first ingredient. Aloe vera is hydrophillic (loves water) and will actually draw moisture into the deep layers of your skin. Pure aloe vera is also wonderful to prevent radiation burns.
- Sue
September 5, 2010 5:40 p.m.
I used tea tree oil on my nails and it prevented a lot of the chemo-related thinning.
- Lizzie
September 5, 2010 3:52 a.m.
Since a lip balm did not solve the problem of dry lips for me and actually made it longer lasting , I switched to jojoba instead. Just a drop of jojoba was rich enough to moisturize lips and after a shile I no longer needed it anymore.
- Louise
September 4, 2010 11:25 a.m.
I have been on Herceptin for 6 months. In the past 2 weeks, my fingernails have deterioted to the point that I cannot even file them. Ragged to even past the quick. Polish won't stay on, nor the gels that manicurists like to use. They are extremely soft. My toenails are somewhat better, but I hae noticed they also are softer. I am able to keep polish on them but need to re-apply in just 2 weeks. Anyone have this trouble?
- Julie
September 3, 2010 6:35 a.m.
Thank you again for your articles relating to the "nitty gritty" of chemotherapy as a patient and, so importantly, as a survivor.
- Ellie
August 28, 2010 11:05 p.m.
I have a question. Why not use the Gamma Knife to take out tumors, such as Pancreatic tumors? It has such a better recovery time, it is completely accurate, and it doesn't require all of that cutting of everything on the way there. Please make sure this gets to someone who will consider this.
- Jean
August 27, 2010 11:47 a.m.
The Look Good Feel Better program is helping women across the country feel better during their treatments. You can help if you are a licensed facial or hair technologist. Check out what is going on in your state.
- Debora
August 24, 2010 4:09 p.m.
what about uv protection for nails? what products are best?
- LINDA
August 21, 2010 8:22 a.m.
Nicotinamide (aka Niacinamide) applied topically, is beneficial for reducing Acne, Skin hyper-pigmentation (acne scars), increasing skin moisture and reducing fine wrinkles. Scientists at NY University College of Medicine have shown that Nicotinamide is superior to antibiotics such as Clindamycin in controlling acne. Use "Niapads" (Nicotinamide acne pads) for controlling your acne. One step process provides exfoliation, pore cleansing and prevention of Acne.
- Monica
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