Anuradha Varanasi
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Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a side-effect of chemotherapy and other medicines used to treat breast and colorectal cancers. This skin reaction is triggered when some amount of the medicines seeps out of the skin cells or capillaries on the soles of the feet or palms. HFS causes redness, swelling and intense pain in these areas and in some cases, can also lead to blisters. While usually palliative care or supportive treatment along with topical anesthetics is used to treat HFS, a study has found that topically applying henna to the affected areas can be effective in providing relief from this side-effect [1]. Did you know that more than 50% of women suffering from breast cancer are in the 25 to 50 years age group?
Turkish doctors from the Department of Oncology, Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School, found that Capecitabine , an orally administered chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of breast and colorectal cancers caused HFS in their patients. They recommended six of their patients to topically henna on the affected areas of their hands and feet who were suffering from different grades of HFS.
The oncologists found that the cancer patients responded to this form of treatment and there was no need for reduction of doses and nor any side-effects were observed from applying henna. The study published in 2008, concluded that clinical improvement was observed in these cancer patients because henna has anti-inflammatory, fever reducing and analgesic or pain relieving effects.
You could try applying henna paste to your hands and feet if you notice any redness, swelling or painful blisters after chemotherapy. Make sure to use organic henna powder and not the ones that are sold as a hair product.
However, since prevention is better than cure, Dr AnilHeroor, Consultant Onco Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai, says cancer patients can prevent hand-foot syndrome by following these tips at least a week after receiving chemotherapy to prevent any leakage of the medicine:
Reference
[1] Invest New Drugs. 2008 Apr;26(2):189-92. Epub 2007 Sep 21. Topical henna for capecitabine induced hand-foot syndrome. Yucel I(1), Guzin G.
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