Rash; dry, itchy skin

Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away.

To prevent and treat dry skin,

• Use skin moisturizer.
• Protect your skin from the sun and the cold.
• Use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and a SPF of at least 30.

Diarrhea (may be severe)

May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment.

If you have diarrhea :

• Take anti-diarrhea medication if your health care team prescribed it.
• Avoid foods or drinks with artificial sweetener (e.g. chewing gum, “diet” drinks), coffee and alcohol.
• Eat many small meals and snacks instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
• Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day. Talk to your health care team if you can’t drink 6-8 cups of liquids each day when you have diarrhea. You may need special liquids with salt and sugar, called Oral Rehydration Therapy.

​See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information.

Low appetite

• You may not feel like eating or you may lose weight.
• Try to eat foods that you like and eat small meals throughout the day. 
• You may need to take meal supplements to help keep your weight up.
• Talk to your health care team if you have a low appetite.
• See our Loss of appetite pamphlet for more information.

Fatigue (tiredness)

• Be active and aim to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise (you are able to talk comfortably while exercising) on most days. Check with your health care team before starting any new exercise.
• Pace yourself, do not rush. Put off less important activities. Rest when you need to.
• Eat well and stay hydrated by drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other liquids every day (unless your doctor told you to drink more or less).
• Avoid driving or using machinery if you are feeling tired

See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. 

Cough; feeling short of breath

You may have cough and feel short of breath without any signs of infection, such as a sore throat or a stuffed nose.

Nausea and vomiting (generally mild)

May occur in hours to days after your treatment. 

If you have nausea or vomiting:

• Take anti-nausea medication(s) as prescribed to you by your doctor. 
• Drink clear liquids and have small meals. Get fresh air and rest.
• Do not eat spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
• Limit caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea) and alcohol.
• Contact your health care team if the prescribed anti-nausea medications are not helping to control your nausea and vomiting.

 Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information.

Fever, chills, infection

You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:

• 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time OR
• 38.0°C (or 100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.

While you are getting chemotherapy treatments:

• Keep a digital thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills).
• Avoid taking medications that treat a fever before you take your temperature (for example, Tylenol®, acetaminophen, Advil® or ibuprofen) as they may hide a fever.
• Do not eat or drink anything hot or cold right before taking your temperature.
• Wash your hands often.
• Check with your doctor before getting any vaccines, surgeries, medical procedures or visiting your dentist.

If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. 
See our Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count) pamphlet for more information.

Mouth sores

You may have round, painful, white or gray sores inside your mouth. They can occur on the tongue, lips, gums, or inside your cheeks. In more severe cases they may make it hard swallow, eat or to brush your teeth. They usually last 1 to 2 weeks.

To help prevent mouth sores: 

• Take care of your mouth by gently brushing and flossing regularly.
• Rinse your mouth often. Do not use mouthwashes with alcohol.
• Instead, try a homemade mouthwash:
• Mix 1 teaspoonful of baking soda and 1 teaspoonful of salt in 4 cups (1L) of water.

If you have mouth sores:

• Check with your health care team as soon as you notice mouth or lip sores or if it hurts to swallow.
• Avoid hot, spicy, acidic, hard or crunchy foods.. Your doctor may prescribe a mouthwash to relieve mouth sores and prevent infection.

See the Mouth Care pamphlet for more information.

Nail changes 

You may have changes in nail colour, pain or tenderness in the nailbed, swelling of cuticles, or loosening of nails.

• Will slowly return to normal after treatment ends.
• Use a moisturizer for nails and cuticles.
• Avoid nail polish and artificial fingernails until your nails have returned to normal.
• Wear gloves when doing house chores or gardening.

Eye problems 

• You may have dry eyes, redness, irritation, pain, tearing, sensitivity to light or blurred vision.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses.
• You may try artificial tears or ointment. 

Pains or cramps in the belly

• If you have constipation or diarrhea it may be causing the pain in your belly.
• If the pain is severe, gets worse or doesn’t go away, talk to your health care team about other possible causes.

Unusual bleeding or bruising

You may have black stools, cough up blood, blood in your urine, purple or red dots on your skin or bleeding that will not stop.