Cancer and Skin Care

By: Cyndi Katel
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:18:05
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I could not help but think of women whose skin changed during radiation and chemotherapy and they are not sure what to do…the good news skin problems are usually short term and easy to fix. Something proactive for you to do, something to help you feel better.

During this time of change, you need to take special care of your skin. First - ask your doctor regarding the products, lotions, soaps, deodorants, sunscreen, cream, or perfume around the treatment area you can use. If the areas are itchy or irritated, a light sprinkling of cornstarch help, but filmy skin products may hamper your treatment.

To wash your face or treatment area, a mild soap like Dove may be used. Wash using only warm water and use your hands, this is gentler. Gently pat dry with a soft cotton towel. You should not scrub, scratch or shave treated skin. Soak a soft, fluffy cotton ball with non-alcohol toner and gently go over your face. Are you noticing a trend? Everything is done gently to cause little irritation.

Ask your doctor what UVA/UVB sunscreen to buy. Sunscreen with an SPF 15 is a good general number. After applying, wait a few minutes until the sunscreen is totally absorbed (which many of us do not do, including me!) before applying any moisturizer. Use very small amounts of moisturizer dot on face and gently pat.

Oily skin may become dry or flaky during your chemotherapy, consider using moisturizer several times daily to lessen the impact, please check with your doctor first.

This is important; wash your hands before applying anything to the treatment area. We all know nasty bacteria are on our hands and you do not want to transfer that to your skin. It may cause an infection. Tightly close the tops of your jars so airborne bacteria and germs remain out of your skin care.

If possible, try to sleep on your back with your head elevated. This reduces morning puffiness. I would purchase a good pillow that feels good on my neck.

Do not smoke, need I say more?

If you have questions - do not hesitate to ask your heath care provider. Remember they work for you and are experts in their fields.

Cyndi Katel Five Star Nights http://www.fivestarnights.com ckatel@fivestarnights.com

For media inquiries: Susan Maurizio Da-Ve Communications susan@da-ve.com http://www.da-ve.com 203-445-0131

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Health & Fitness category

  • Plastic Surgery Virtual Consultations Offer Privacy and Convenience to Cosmetic Surgery Patients - By: Ricardo Rodriguez, MD
    It's now easier than ever for cosmetic surgery patients to find and consult with plastic surgeons, thanks to virtual consultations, conducted online or over the phone in the comfort and privacy of each patient's home.
  • Have a comfortable experience with office chair back support - By: Matt Hudson
    Say good bye to all your back problems with office chair back support.
  • Bed Bug Itch - By: Jess Baad
    Know what bed bugs are. Successfully exterminate them to get better and quality sleep.
  • Natural Latex Mattresses - Good For The Health - By: Jess Baad
    Natural latex mattresses can give you comfort rivaling those that are synthetically manufactured. Natural latex mattresses are also better for the health, learn why.
  • Lowdown On Barbeque - Introduction - By: Nitin Mainro
    Barbeque, in the southern and Midwest parts of the United States, consists of slow-cooking meat over indirect heat. Chicken, beef, pork, sausage, ham, and ribs can all be barbequed - even mutton is sometimes barbequed, at least in Kentucky. With so many ways to make so many dishes, the perfect way to make barbequed meat can be a regional "bone" of contention. In Memphis, Tennessee, barbeque is almost a religion. Barbeque ribs - most often pork, are cooked for long hours, until the meat is so tender that it is ready to fall off the bone. The city bills itself as the pork barbeque capital of the world, and has over one hundred barbeque restraints to back up that claim, many of whom participate in the annual pork cook off that is listen the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest pork barbeque contest anywhere
  • Choose Both A Health Insurance Company And A Plan - By: Donald Saunders
    Although many people compare plans when they are shopping for health insurance you should not forget that it is also important to compare different health insurance companies.
  • Individual Health Insurance Or Group Health Insurance? - By: Donald Saunders
    If like the majority of people you think that group health insurance plans and individual health insurance plans are essentially the same thing when it comes to providing you and you family with protection against illness and injury then this article might just open your eyes.
  • Temporary Health Insurance To Cover Those In-between Times - By: Donald Saunders
    For those people who require some form of health insurance to see them through a break in their regular medical cover then short term health insurance may provide the answer.
  • Affordable Health Insurance For People Without Employment - By: Donald Saunders
    If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself without a job then this could be just the start of your problems if you are your family also have no health insurance cover.
  • New Parkinson's Treatment - Scientific Breakthrough Discovers Root Cause - By: Scott K. Haley
    Parkinson's disease was first described in the early 1800s when Dr James Parkinson wrote a paper on what he called 'the Shaking Palsy'. Surprisingly Dr Parkinson managed to relate the symptoms to a fault in the brain however at the time he knew nothing of the true cause. Thankfully much has been learnt about the disease since then and there are now a number of effective treatments to slow down its progress.