1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) 44 Ways to manage side effects Skin and nail changes What they are and why they occur Some types of chemotherapy can damage the fast-growing cells in your skin and nails. While these changes may be alarming, painful, and annoying, most are minor and do not require treatment. Many of them will get better once you have finished chemotherapy. However, major skin changes need to be treated right away because they can cause lifelong damage. Minor skin changes may include: Î itching, dryness, redness, rashes, and peeling Î sensitivity to the sun (when you burn very quickly). This problem can happen even to people who have very dark skin color. Î hyperpigmentation, a problem that results in dark patches on your skin or a darker skin color. Dark patches may occur: • around your joints • under your nails • in your mouth • along the vein used to give you chemotherapy • under tape or dressings • in your hair Î other nail problems. Besides becoming darker, your nails may also turn yellow or become brittle and cracked. Sometimes your nails will loosen and fall off, but new nails will grow back in. Major skin changes need to be treated right away, because they can cause lifelong changes.
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