1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) 28 Ways to manage side effects Stay away from crowds. Try not to be around a lot of people. For instance, plan to go shopping, to the gym, or to the movies during less busy times. Be careful not to cut or nick yourself. Do not cut or tear your nail cuticles. Use an electric shaver instead of a razor. And be extra careful when using scissors, needles, or knives. Watch for signs of infection around your catheter. Signs to look for include drainage, redness, swelling, or soreness. Tell your doctor or nurse about any changes you notice near your catheter. Maintain good mouth care. Brush your teeth after meals and before you go to bed. Use a very soft toothbrush. You can make the bristles even softer by running hot water over them just before you brush. Use a mouth rinse that does not contain alcohol. Check with your doctor or nurse before going to the dentist. (For more about taking care of your mouth and Mouth and throat changes, see page 32.) Take good care of your skin. Do not squeeze or scratch pimples. Use lotion to soften and heal dry, cracked skin. Dry yourself after a bath or shower by gently patting your skin. Be careful not to rub your skin. (For more information about taking care of your Skin and nail changes, see page 44.) Clean cuts right away. Use warm water, soap, and an antiseptic to clean your cuts. Clean your cut like this every day until your cut has a scab over it. Be careful around animals. Do not clean your cat’s litter box, pick up dog waste, or clean bird cages or fish tanks. Be sure to wash your hands after touching pets and other animals. Ask your doctor or nurse before you get a flu shot or other type of vaccine. Many vaccines are safe to get. But some contain a live virus, which you should not be exposed to. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Do not leave leftovers sitting out. Put them in the refrigerator as soon as you are done eating. Wash raw vegetables and fruits well before eating them. Avoid those that cannot be washed well, such as raspberries.
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