Hand-Foot Syndrome During Chemotherapy

Hand-foot syndrome (HFS), also known as palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia, is a dermatological side effect of some chemotherapy and biological therapy medications. It primarily affects the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. HFS occurs when small amounts of medication leak outside of the capillaries and cause damage to exposed tissue. Most people who have HFS develop mild effects, but some can suffer severe effects, making daily living activities nearly impossible.

Drugs That May Cause Hand-Foot Syndrome

Hand-foot syndrome is most commonly associated with the drug Xeloda (capecitabine)*. Other drugs that are known to cause hand-foot syndrome include:

• 5-FU (fluorouracil)*
• Cytosar-U (cytarabine)
• Adriamycin (doxorubicin) - continuous infusion
• FUDR (floxuridine)
• Doxil (liposomal doxorubicin)
• Idamycin (idarubicin)
• Nexavar (sorafenib)
• Sutent (sunitinib)
• Zelboraf (vemurafenib)
• Inlyta (axitinib)
• Cabometyx, Cometriq (aabozantinib)
• Stivarga (egorafenib)
• Votrient (pazopanib)

Keep in mind that not all people who take these cancer drugs will develop hand-foot syndrome.

*Dihydroprimidine dehydrogenase deficiency (DPD) - having a different set of metabolic enzymes than normal - is the usual culprit for very serious and immediate HFS that occur with use of these drugs. It is usually accompanied by severe diarrhea. Estimates show it is fairly rare with the deficiency affecting between 2 and 8 percent of Americans. Testing for it is not routine, but your healthcare provider may do so if you need to take one of these drugs.

Symptoms

Common symptoms that accompany hand-foot syndrome include:

• Tingling or numbness
• Burning
• Redness
• Swelling
• Tenderness

In severe cases of hand-foot syndrome, the skin may begin to blister or develop sores or ulcers. Dry, flaky skin that may or may not peel can also occur. This can greatly affect someone's quality of life, especially his ability to walk and use his hands. In clinical trials, about 5% to 10% percent of people experienced these effects of hand-foot syndrome.

Fingerprint Loss and Hand-Foot Syndrome

Fingerprint loss has been associated with the use of the cancer drugs that cause hand-foot syndrome. This rare side effect is thought to be related to the length of time in which the drug is taken. The peeling and blistering of the skin over time may cause the fingerprints to be erased. Hand-foot syndrome gained much media attention in 2009 when a Singapore man was detained at U.S. Customs for not having fingerprints. His condition was related to taking Xeloda (capecitabine) for three years.

Prevention and Management

Prevention is key with HFS. Heat and friction are two factors that worsen capillary leakage. For a week after being given IV medication, or for the entire period you are taking oral cancer drugs, there are several precautions you can take to help prevent and manage HFS:

Avoid Hot Water: Exposing skin to hot water for long periods (taking tub baths and showers, for example), dishwashing, and relaxing in a hot tub are not recommended. Taking a tepid or short cool shower is best for a week after taking IV meds or through the timeframe that you are taking oral medication. Rubber gloves do not offer protection -- they actually heat up the hands. Your healthcare provider may also recommend that you specifically do not take a hot shower or bath 24 hours prior to treatment.

Avoid Exercise and Manual Labor: Exercise that puts a lot of pressure and stress on the hands and feet, such as aerobics, long walking, jogging, and weightlifting (even with gloves), should also be avoided. Manual labor like gardening and yard work should also be avoided.

Wear Loose Fitting Clothing: Tight fitting clothes and shoes can cause friction, thus leading to increased capillary leakage. Wear comfortable shoes with cushioned soles. Do not walk in bare feet; cotton socks or soft slippers are best.

Do Not Wear Rings: To limit friction, avoid wearing rings on your fingers. Rings that are never removed, like wedding rings, can be a source of bacteria as well. Bacteria can become trapped in between the ring and the finger. Infection prevention and control is very important with HFS due to the sensitivity of the skin.

Keep Hands and Feet Cool: Throughout the day, apply ice packs or cool compresses to hands and feet. Immersing them in water a few times a day is also helpful.

Apply Emollients: Emollients are specialized moisturizers that soothe dry, cracked, and irritated skin. Most healthcare providers recommend emollient products such as Aveeno with lanolin, Lubriderm, Udder Cream, Bag Balm, and Aquaphor. You can apply emollients several times a day, but be sure not to rub the skin with much pressure. Wearing socks and gloves after application will help to hold moisture.

Stay Well Hydrated: Dehydration is also a cause of dry skin, so it is important to keep well hydrated by drinks lots of water. Caffeine is a known cause of dehydration and should be avoided.

How Your Healthcare Provider May Manage Hand-Foot Syndrome

Mild cases of HFS may not require medical intervention, just careful monitoring by you and your nurse and healthcare provider. If you begin to notice any symptoms of HFS, call your oncology nurse or healthcare provider. If you suffer from HFS and notice it worsening, it is very important to call your healthcare provider right away.

Moderate to severe cases of hand-foot syndrome that interfere with daily living activities is considered to be a serious complication of treatment and is treated as such. Halting treatment or lowering the dosage may be necessary. OTC pain medications like ibuprofen may be recommended to relieve the pain. Oral or topical corticosteroids may help some with inflammation. The prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Celebrex (celecoxib) appears to be fairly effective based on a review of studies.

High doses of vitamin B6 are often recommended for people who are likely to develop HFS or already suffer from it. Oncologists often recommend short term use of 50 to 150 mg of B6, which is considerably higher than the daily recommendation. A 2015 meta-analysis - a review of studies published to date - failed to find that vitamin B6 actually helped with hand-foot syndrome, but people aren't statistics and it could be that some people do have an improvement of symptoms. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking vitamin B6 for HFS. Some vitamin and mineral supplements may decrease the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Many studies are being conducted about the prevention and management of hand-foot syndrome. The role of nicotine patches, henna, and vitamin E are among many things that being studied for the relief of HFS.