If you’re living with leukemia, it can be difficult to manage cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. One challenge people with leukemia often face is maintaining healthy skin. Leukemia, chemotherapy, and other treatments can affect skin health in many ways. You may experience dry patches, itchy rashes, and frequent skin infections. If you were already living with skin conditions before you were diagnosed with leukemia, it’s more important than ever to pay close attention to skin health.

On MyLeukemiaTeam, members discuss skin symptoms and ways to manage them. One member asked, “Any suggestions for treating super dry skin? I’m peeling everywhere on my body and limbs!”

Here are eight practical tips to keep your skin as healthy as possible while living with leukemia and undergoing cancer treatment.

1. Moisturize Your Skin Regularly

Leukemia treatment options, particularly some chemotherapy agents and radiation therapy, can cause dry, itchy skin as a side effect. This can lead to itching, irritation, and pain and may affect your appearance.

One way to reduce dryness is to use moisturizing lotions or creams. To keep your skin moist, shower in warm (not hot) water. Once you get out, gently pat your skin dry, and immediately apply a moisturizing lotion while it’s still damp. Opt for gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers that are meant for sensitive skin. Ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid can help your skin better retain moisture.

“My skin is dry, and I use Eucerin,” wrote one member of MyLeukemiaTeam. “My skin drinks it up. I don’t have itching, but I’m sure I would if I didn’t keep lotion on it.”

2. Choose Gentle Skin Care Products

Because your skin is extra sensitive when you’re on chemotherapy, it’s important to be careful of ingredients that can irritate your skin. When looking for moisturizers, cleansers, and other skin care products, try to avoid harsh chemicals and fragrances that can worsen skin sensitivity during leukemia treatment. Avoid anything that is scented or contains alcohol, as that can make irritation worse.

Different people may be sensitive to different chemicals. As one member advised others, “Ask your dermatologist what creams they recommend for people on drugs for cancer.”

In general, it’s helpful to look for products labeled as hypoallergenic or for sensitive skin. Try a patch test — applying the product to a small area of skin first to see if you have a reaction — before using it more widely on your body.

3. Protect Your Skin From the Sun

Some leukemia treatments can increase your sensitivity to sunlight, leading to sunburns or skin damage. Sun exposure can worsen skin discoloration caused by cancer treatment, as well as increase your risk of developing skin cancer later on.

One MyLeukemiaTeam member asked, “Does anyone else experience little purple marks on their skin after being in the sun? I have to wear sunscreen!”

Make sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Reapply it every two hours when you’re outdoors and every time you get out of the pool or ocean. For some people, sunscreen alone may not be enough to prevent sensitivity to sunlight. You may need to wear a broad-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirt for additional sun protection while undergoing leukemia treatment. “I wear the same long-sleeved sun shirt that my grandkids wear, and a big floppy hat, during a day at the beach,” one member shared.

4. Stay Hydrated

Dry skin can be a sign of dehydration during cancer treatment. Ask your doctor to suggest a daily goal for how much liquid you should drink. These should include water and might also include noncaffeinated flavored drinks, broth, or sports drinks. Ask your doctor about caffeinated beverages or alcohol. As both leukemia and its treatment can have an impact on kidney function, the target fluid intake varies according to each patient and must be according to your doctor’s recommendation.

Try to keep drinking regularly through the day, or sipping if that’s all you can manage. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty.

5. Prevent Skin Infections

Some types of cancer and cancer treatments can weaken the immune system and make people with leukemia more vulnerable to skin infections. When your immune system is weak, even bacteria that usually live harmlessly on the skin can contribute to infections if the skin barrier is damaged.

Here are some tips to help prevent skin infections:

• Try to avoid scratching itchy places on your skin. Scratching can lead to open wounds that are more likely to become infected.
• Keep your fingernails short to avoid spreading germs and damaging skin if you do scratch.
• If you’re receiving chemotherapy, let your cancer care team know right away if you notice pain or swelling where the intravenous line is inserted.
• If you develop wet or oozing wounds, such as from radiation treatment, ask your cancer care team how best to care for these areas.

6. Wear Comfortable Clothing

Soft fabrics reduce friction on sensitive skin. Loose-fitting clothing can reduce unnecessary irritation of rashes and make it easier for skin to dry if you’re experiencing sweats related to leukemia.

“I have an itchy, angry rash on my neck after wearing a turtleneck,” one member reported.

Choose loose-fitting clothing in breathable fabrics like cotton. Avoid rough textures, like wool, which can irritate the skin.

7. Take Care of Your Nails

Many people undergoing cancer treatment experience problems with their fingernails and toenails. The skin around them may become dry and cracked, causing ingrown nails.

“My fingernails stopped growing during leukemia treatment. Now, they are peeling and exposing skin,” one member shared.

Try to keep your nails as healthy as possible. Avoid fake nails or excessive nail polish, which can make them thin and brittle. To prevent excessive dryness of your nails, wear gloves when washing dishes. Keep your nails short to prevent them from breaking.

8. Report New or Worsening Skin Symptoms

Abnormal bruising or rashes could indicate an underlying complication of your leukemia or a side effect of your treatment. Some leukemia-specific skin problems to mention to your health care team include:

• Petechiae (small, pinpoint-sized, red spots under the skin) may be a sign you have low levels of platelets, which are needed to help blood clot properly.
• Lots of bruises in unusual places may also point to low platelets.
• Discolored patches or bumps (with or without tenderness) could be a sign of leukemia cutis, a form of leukemia that affects the skin.

One member said, “I talked to my doctor about my excessive bruising. She said it’s related to my anemia.” Another said, “My oncologist told me my bruises were from the medications that I’m on.”

Keep a journal of symptoms, including any skin changes in color, texture, or sensation. Speak to your health care provider about any skin lesions during your medical appointments. Whether or not the skin changes are related to your leukemia, getting them diagnosed and treated can help you feel your best and improve your quality of life.

Find Your Team

MyLeukemiaTeam is the social network for people with leukemia and their caregivers. More than 19,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their experiences with others who understand life with different forms of leukemia.

How has your skin changed because of leukemia or the side effects of treatment? What tips do you have for others? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.