Skin+and+nail+changes+from+cancer+therapy

Color changes, redness, itching peeling dryness, rashes, and acne.
 * SKIN CHANGES DURING CHEMOTHERAPY: **

- Assess client’s skin for redness, dryness, rashes and itching. - Teach client how to take care skin problems during treatment. //If client has dry, itchy skin suggest:// Take warm, short showers instead long, hot baths; Use moisturizing soap, pat dry and apply cream or lotion while skin is still damp; Try a colloidal oatmeal bath for itching all over the body or cornstarch; Avoid using perfume, cologne or aftershave lotion, because these products contain alcohol and make skin dry; Some chemo drugs make skin sensitive to sun. Suggest client to wear sunscreen, avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm, cover your skin as much as you can while you are outside, and do not use tanning bed.
 * NURSING INTERVENTIONS: **

Nails may become weak, break or lift off and develop ridges
 * NAIL CHANGES DURING CHMEOTHERAPY: **

- Have pt keep hands moisturized and the nails cut short, avoid cutting cuticles - Make sure patient avoids artificial nails - Educate on using oil based products to prevent drying of nails. - Tell pt to use gloves when doing housework or gardening - Have patient soak nails in oliveor vegatable oil - Educate pt to keep nails that break off clean and protected -Tell patient to check skin and nails daily for any changes
 * NURSING INTERVENTIONS: **



[|www.cancer.org] [|www.cancersupportcommunity.org]
 * References: **

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