Skin changes after chemotherapy
Chemotherapy Chemotherapy serves to destroy degenerated cells. Since these tumor cells usually divide uninhibited, chemotherapy is designed to destroy exactly these cells with a high division rate. The disadvantage is that some healthy body tissues also have a high cell division rate because they have to renew themselves constantly, e.g. the skin and oral mucosa, which are therefore also attacked by chemotherapy.
Cancer patients therefore often suffer from inflammation of the oral mucosa and gums during chemotherapy, as well as skin rashes of all kinds. In most cases, chemotherapy-induced rashes are reddening of the skin that occurs all over the body (generalized exanthema). The type of rash that develops also varies depending on the chemotherapeutic agent used.
Some preparations may cause painful lesions on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet (hand-foot syndrome).In most cases, however, the rash recedes with the end of the therapy. Radiation therapy Radiation therapies have an even more frequent damaging effect on the skin than chemotherapy. This is because radiation therapy exposes the skin directly to the damaging radiation.
In some patients, this manifests itself as a rash, which may appear weeks or months after radiotherapy. It may consist of red, scaly patches, accompanied by weeping blisters or thickening of the skin and itching. Other patients may also have pigment spots or a darkening of the skin in the irradiated area.
In general, naturally fair-skinned people are more frequently affected. Hair loss So-called skin appendages (hair and nails) are also severely affected by chemo- and radiotherapy, as they also arise from rapidly dividing cells. This leads to hair loss and brittle nails.
After the therapy, the hair usually grows back. In some cases, however, radiotherapy can also cause permanent hairlessness in the irradiated area. Prevention and care Sun exposure should be avoided during chemo/radiation therapy, if possible, in order not to put additional strain on the skin.
It is also advisable to take adequate care of the skin, for example with creams and ointments containing calendula. Concentrates containing camomile or sage are particularly suitable for mouth rinses.
