FAQs About Caring For Your Skin During Cancer Treatment
A diagnosis of skin cancer means that you will have to take special precautions with your health during and after treatment. Depending on the treatment, your skin could be left particularly vulnerable to environmental elements. If you are going through treatment, here is what you need to know about skin care.
What Changes Can Occur to Your Skin During Treatment?
The type of changes you can experience with your skin depends largely on the type of treatment. Radiation is one of the most commonly recommended forms of treatment and it comes with more changes to the skin.
Radiation can cause dryness, swelling, peeling, and severe redness. Some people have scar tissue that develops and skin discoloration. You could even have hair loss that could potentially be long-term.
In some instances, the changes that are experienced tend to get better once the treatment is completed. However, while the problems exist, it is important that you take action to care for your skin to prevent the problems from getting worse.
What Can You Do During Treatment?
While you are undergoing treatment, you need to avoid lotions, creams, soaps, or other skin care products that are scented. They tend to have alcohol in them, which can cause even more irritation. Look for products that are alcohol-free instead.
Talk to your dermatologist about prescription steroid creams that you can use to prevent inflammation. The steroid creams work by suppressing your body's response to the treatment, which could mean a reduction in symptoms you experience.
In addition to these measures, you need to focus on protecting your skin from further sun damage. Remember to keep your skin covered from head-to-toe using a hat, long sleeves, and long pants whenever you are outside.
What Can You Do Following Treatment?
Once treatment is complete, it is imperative that you take steps to avoid a recurrence of the cancer. You need to continue to protect your skin from the sun. Some medications that you have to continue to take after treatment is completed could make you more sensitive to the sun. Talk to your dermatologist about the possible increased sensitivity and what you can do to further protect your skin.
You also need to have regular examinations with your dermatologist. He or she will be instrumental in spotting skin problems. Early detection is key in treating a recurrence. A dermatologist like Strnot Dermatology can also recommend products you can use to help with treating any scarring that occurred from the treatment.
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