Dry skin can be rough, flaky, red, and sometimes painful. It is caused by not enough oil and water in the layers of the skin. Common causes of dry skin include dehydration, heat, cold, poor nutrition, and side effects of radiation treatment or chemo.

What to look for

• Red, rough, flaky skin (although dry skin can look normal)
• Cracks in the skin
• Slight bleeding between the lines of skin covering body areas, such as knuckles or elbows

What the patient can do

• Add mineral or baby oil to warm bath water, or apply after showering while skin is still damp. (This can make you slippery, so be careful to keep from falling.)
• Wash with cool or warm water – not hot water.
• Avoid scrubbing during showers or baths. Gently pat skin dry after bathing.
• Apply water-based creams twice a day, especially after baths.
• Avoid colognes, after-shaves, and after-bath splashes that contain alcohol.
• Use an electric razor.
• Drink 2 to 3 quarts of liquid a day if it's OK with your doctor.
• Protect your skin from cold and wind. Avoid hot water and heat, especially dry heat.

What caregivers can do

• Apply lotions or oils on hard-to-reach places.
• Offer extra fluids.

Call the doctor if the patient:

• Develops very rough, red, or painful skin
• Has signs of infection, such as pus or tenderness near broken skin

Go back to Caring for the Patient with Cancer at Home: A Guide for Patients and Families.

Last Medical Review: 04/27/2009
Last Revised: 04/27/2009