Chemotherapy side effects and foot pain
Chemotherapy is used in the treatment of some Cancers. Cit be the cause of unwanted foot pain, numbness, loss of feeling and unpleasant skin effects? Yes it can. Cancer treatment is not likely to be stopped due to foot pain. There are, however, management techniques which are aimed at Chemotherapy side effects and foot pain. Relief of your symptoms, decreasing the risk of falls and improving your quality of life are possible.
How does Chemotherapy affect the feet?
Not everyone experiences side effects and the severity varies from person to person. The symptoms may last for the duration of the chemotherapy or it may become a long-term issue. Some chemotherapy drugs seem to be linked with foot pain more than others.
The two most common foot conditions are:
- Hand and Foot Syndrome
- Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)
Symptoms of Hand and Foot Syndrome
- Redness, often accompanied with swelling
- Skin irritation or rash
- Blisters or calluses
- Pain, Soreness or Tenderness
- Burning or Tingling
Symptoms of Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
- Loss of sensation
- Tingling or burning pain
Other causes of similar Foot Symptoms
If you are experiencing pain, numbness, loss of feeling and unwanted skin effects in your hands it is important to consult your physician or Podiatrist as there are other possible causes. Such as –
- Injury to a nerve e.g. trauma, surgery
- Systemic illness e.g diabetes, high blood pressure, certain vitamin deficiencies
- Infection e.g. Chicken pox
- Autoimmune disorders e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Implications of Chemotherapy side effects and Foot Pain
Skin changes Blisters or Calluses when they occur of the feet can create an entry point for infection. Foot infections can cause simple skin breaks into serious, difficult to heal, wounds.
Walking Extreme pain when standing and walking can be completely debilitating. The pain can act as a distraction to careful walking with balance difficulties or tripping resulting. Loss of sensation and loss of awareness of the walking surface can also contribute to a staggering and unsteady gait. Injury A further complication of loss of sensation is the non-detection of sharp objects injuring the skin. Sharp objects can either be inside footwear or exposed to the skin when walking barefoot.
Burns Loss of sensitivity to hot water temperatures can be particularly dangerous when showering or bathing. The skin and the tissues beneath can be destroyed by hot water scalding.
Frustration, Anxiety and Depression Foot Pain at rest and on activity can be relentless. Feelings around the loss of quality of life are common. Help is available.
Managing your Chemotherapy Side Effects and Foot Pain
If you suspect that you have Hand-Foot Syndrome or Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, talk to your doctor promptly. A change in medication may be possible. Your doctor may offer supplementary medication to assist. Do not ignore your symptoms – treating your cancer with life-saving chemo is important but if neuropathy isn’t treated it can become a long term problem.
Once you have explored whether your medications can be changed, then most other treatments are aimed at the relief of your symptoms and decreasing the risk of falls and injuries that may result from the neuropathy and improving your quality of life.
Natural therapies
Acupuncture to trigger pain threshold chemicals, Guided meditation to lower stress and improve coping skills, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Vitamin D therapy may reduce symptoms
Physical and Occupational Therapies
Exercise and the resultant increase in blood flow may offer temporary relief of symptoms. Maintaining and improving muscle strength and tone may improve balance and gait. A graduated rehabilitation program will help you regain confidence if you have already experienced a fall. Guidance with socks and appropriate footwear will reduce pressure areas and reduce the injury.
Do it Yourself Therapies
Adding small changes to your home routine may improve your quality of life. These may include: looking at your feet daily to check for injury, don’t walk in barefeet, gently massage your feet with a non-urea based cream, slowly increase some gentle exercise, practice your meditation technique
Chemotherapy drugs can be life-saving. However they may have unwanted side effects in the feet. The best way of dealing with the side effects like foot-hand syndrome and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy is to consult with your cancer physician and address any symptoms promptly
