Question: When Taking Chemo Treatment Xeloda What Can I Do About My Hand And Foot Irritation And Pain?

What helps with chemo hands?

To help soothe your skin:

1. Cool the palms of your hands and soles of your feet with ice packs or cool water. Do this for about 15 minutes at a time. Put a towel between the ice pack and your skin.
2. Gently apply skin care lotion to keep your hands moist. Avoid rubbing or massaging lotion into your hands.

What is the best lotion for hand-foot syndrome?

A study has found that a 10% urea cream helps prevent hand – foot syndrome better than a new antioxidant ointment called Mapisal in people who’ve been treated with the chemotherapy medicine Xeloda (chemical name: capecitabine). The research was published online on June 29, 2015 by the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

How can I prevent hand and foot syndrome from chemo?

Avoid long exposure of hands and feet to hot water such as washing dishes, long showers, or tub baths. Short showers in tepid water will reduce exposure of the soles of your feet to the drug. Dishwashing gloves should not be worn, as the rubber will hold heat against your palms.

How do you reduce the side effects of Xeloda?

Eating several small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Diarrhea is a common side effect of this medication. Drink plenty of fluids unless directed otherwise.

Can chemo turn your hands black?

Some types of chemotherapy can cause your skin to become dry, itchy, red or darker, or peel. You may develop a minor rash or sunburn easily; this is called photosensitivity. Some people also have skin pigmentation changes. Your nails may be dark and cracked, and your cuticles may hurt.

Why does chemo affect your hands and feet?

Neuropathy is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Doctors believe it happens because chemotherapy damages healthy cells, including nerves. Chemotherapy can damage nerves that affect feeling and movement in the hands and feet. Doctors call this condition chemotherapy -induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

How long does it take for hand and foot syndrome to heal?

Preventing and managing hand – foot syndrome. Hand – foot syndrome is usually worse during the first 6 weeks of treatment with targeted therapy. With chemotherapy, it usually appears after 2 to 3 months. If you notice early signs of hand – foot syndrome, or if you notice your symptoms worsening, call your doctor’s office.

How long does it take for hand and foot syndrome to go away?

If your symptoms are severe, your treatment team may recommend delaying, reducing or stopping treatment to make sure they don’t get any worse. Once treatment is stopped symptoms usually reduce within two to four weeks.

When do side effects of Xeloda start?

This can happen as soon as a few days after you start taking XELODA, or later during treatment, and possibly even within 1 month after you stop taking XELODA. Your risk may be higher because you have cancer, and if you are over 60 years of age.

What chemo drugs cause Hand Foot syndrome?

Chemotherapy drugs known to cause HFS include: capecitabine (Xeloda®), fluorouracil (5-FU), liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil®), doxorubicin (Adriamycin®), cytarabine (Ara-c®), sunitinib (Sutent®) and sorafenib (Nexavar®).

What helps with swollen feet after chemo?

Steps you can take to prevent or lessen edema -related swelling include:

• Get comfortable. Wear loose clothing and shoes that are not too tight.
• Exercise. Moving the part of your body with edema can help.
• Limit salt (sodium) in your diet. Avoid foods such as chips, bacon, ham, and canned soup.
• Take your medicine.

Does chemo affect your feet?

Certain types of chemotherapy affect the small sensory nerves in the feet and hands, causing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and pain in fingers and toes. Treatment with chemotherapy can also result in weakness, muscle cramps, and muscle fatigue.

How long can you stay on Xeloda?

Your Xeloda therapy is made up of a series of treatment cycles which usually lasts for 21 days. Your doctor will advise you how many cycles of treatment you will have and whether there are any rest days in the cycle.

How long does it take for Xeloda to leave your system?

The chemotherapy itself stays in the body within 2 -3 days of treatment but there are short-term and long -term side effects that patients may experience. Not all patients will experience all side effects but many will experience at least a few.

How successful is Xeloda?

Xeloda also improved overall survival: 89.2% of the women treated with Xeloda were alive. 83.9% of the women who didn’t get chemotherapy were alive.