Treatment Side Effects
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Chapter 11
Skin Care
Cutaneous lymphoma, as well as some treatments for this disease, can
make skin dry, itchy, and scaly. Because cutaneous lymphoma occurs
in the skin, with effects that can make the skin irritated, the skin care
recommendations for patients are similar to those for patients with other
chronic skin conditions such as eczema. Following you’ll find tips to help
with your skin care routine:
Moisturizing
Adequate moisturizing is a very important part of keeping skin healthy
as it helps thicken the barrier function and keeps our skin feeling
comfortable. Keeping skin moisturized and decreasing dryness can
alleviate itch, too. A simple and effective way to combat dry skin is to
frequently apply moisturizers or emollients.
With so many different moisturizers on the market today, it may be
difficult to decide which ones to use. Here are some tips to use when
comparing products:
•
Ointments and creams provide the greatest moisturizing power.
They are the best moisturizing products to use because they
contain a high content of oil that leads to greater penetration and
more staying power.
•
Avoid lotions as they are made with mostly water and little oil.
Avoid gels as they contain alcohol or acetone that can be drying to
skin. Avoid moisturizers that contain perfume and dyes.
•
Apply moisturizers frequently, at least 2 to 3 times daily, to keep
skin from drying.
•
You may need to try different products before finding those that
work best for you.
Moisturize the skin while damp because moisturizing lotions and
lubricating ointments can trap water against the skin and provide
longer relief from dryness. When skin gets dry and flaky, apply a
lubricating ointment with lanolin such as petroleum jelly or Aquaphor®.
Patients often need to lubricate and moisturize skin many times daily.
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