Skin problems with cancer
Cancer and its treatment can affect the skin in different ways, causing problems.
Some cancer treatments can cause problems with your skin. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned. You may need treatment with steroid or antibiotic creams or tablets.
called EGFR inhibitors are most likely to cause skin reactions such as a rash and itching. The rash is often like acne.
Targeted cancer drugs called multikinase inhibitors can cause hand-foot skin reaction. This is different from hand-foot syndrome. The skin reaction includes a burning or tingling sensation, redness and large blisters.
Some chemotherapy drugs can make your skin dry and itchy or more sensitive to the sun. Other skin reactions include:
areas of previous radiotherapy becoming inflamed
darkening of the skin
nails becoming brittle
Hair loss is also a common skin change with some types of chemotherapy.
Hand-foot syndrome can cause:
redness
swelling
blistering on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
Read about how cancer drugs effect the skin
Some types of hormone therapy can cause skin rashes that could be itchy.
Read more about the side effects of hormone therapy
Radiotherapy can also cause skin problems. The effects vary from one person to another and depend on:
your skin type
the part of the body you are having treated
the amount of radiotherapy you have
The reaction can be mild, with just some reddening or darkening of your skin. Or it can be more severe and make the skin break down with blisters. Some people have itchy, flaky skin.
Read about skin radiotherapy side effects
High dose cancer treatments, such as bone marrow and stem cell transplants can cause graft versus host disease - called GvHD for short.
In GvHD the immune cells from your donor attack your body’s own cells. It can cause a number of different symptoms, including a skin rash, which can be itchy and painful.
Last reviewed: 10 May 2023
Next review due: 10 May 2026
Cancer and cancer treatment can cause skin problems. But skin problems can be treated, and there are ways you can manage them at home.
Cancer and its treatment can damage the skin cells and stop them from working properly. Knowing more about how the skin works and what may affect it can help you care for it better.
Itching can be a side effect of cancer treatment or the cancer itself. Knowing what can cause itching and how to treat and manage it can help you cope better.
Sweating can be a cancer symptom or may be due to cancer treatment. Knowing what can cause sweating and how to treat and manage it can help you cope better.
Pressure sores are wounds that develop when constant pressure or friction on one area of the body damages the skin. There are ways to prevent and treat them.
There are lots of organisations, support groups and helpful books to help you cope with symptoms and side effects caused by cancer and its treatment.
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