Cancer drugs used to fight chemotherapy can cause nerve damage, among other side effects. Studies suggest that cold wraps on the hands and feet may help prevent these debilitating symptoms. Fortunately, science continues to advance, and there are already technologies that can help reduce the impact of chemo on your nervous system and sensitive tissues.
In this article, you will learn about the side effects of chemo, what cold therapy is and how it can alleviate some impacts of chemotherapy treatment. Additionally, you will find out how cold gel slippers and similar cold compress products have become part of the recovery process.
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Side Effects of Chemotherapy
There are several possible side effects of chemotherapy some, such as peripheral neuropathy which is caused by nerve damage in the extremities, leading to tingling, pain, numbness, and difficulty using fingers and hands. Although there are treatments available for peripheral neuropathy, medical professionals are still looking for ways to prevent it.
Chemo drugs kill fast-growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs travel to healthy tissue throughout the body. As a result, chemotherapy also damages healthy tissues. Cells damaged by chemo include:
- Bone marrow cells that form blood
- Hair follicles
- Digestive tract, mouth, and reproductive cells
Certain drugs also affect the bladder, heart, lungs, kidneys, and the nervous system.
Is There A Way To Lessen The Side Effects of Chemo?
Fortunately, there is a way to lessen the side effects. Cold therapy has been proven to block the full impact of chemotherapy by constricting blood vessels. This minimizes blood flow to prevent chemotherapy from progressing to the area. However, it’s important not to stop blood flow altogether. This can help reduce the exposure of healthy tissues to chemo drugs.
What Types of Cold Therapy Products Are Available?
Cooling therapy uses caps, slippers, and gloves to expose the feet, hands, and scalp to cold temperatures. You wear them during chemotherapy to potentially reduce damage to the hair, nails, skin, and nerves.
For example, a cooling cap can help prevent hair loss, and wearing frozen socks or cold gel slippers can reduce the likelihood of loose nails as sometimes, nails become infected and fall off due to chemotherapy. Frozen gloves also help with the numbness, tingling, and pain you may otherwise feel in your hands.
Cold Gel Slippers Can Provide Relief During Chemotherapy
Cold gel slippers can soothe tired feet, but they can also provide comfort to tissues and nerves during chemotherapy. When you put on cold slippers, they shed heat, cooling your feet down and helping regulate the temperature in your tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Anyone who’s ever put a cold compress on their foot after a long day of work may wonder how this process works.
In the same way that gel caps and gloves work, cold gel slippers offer comfort and may help prevent permanent damage caused by chemotherapy. They also reduce bruising and swelling and even help prevent or reduce pain. Cold gel slippers are multi-layered, meaning they are soft on the outside and firm on the inside, providing exceptional comfort during cancer treatments.
Can Cold Gel Therapy Products Provide Benefits After Chemotherapy?
According to a study published by breastcancer.org, 33% of those who wore frozen socks lost some ability to sense warmth. However, 58% of those who didn’t wear frozen socks lost their sensitivity to temperature. This study proved that the statistical differences were significant and were directly related to the frozen sock treatment, not due to chance.
If you would like to know more about cold therapy for the head, hands, or feet, we are happy to answer your questions. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of hot and cold gel slippers during chemotherapy.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. If any of the suggested remedies don’t alleviate your pain, you should talk to your medical provider about your symptoms. It’s important to discover the underlying causes of chronic pain and receive the appropriate medical treatment.
