Dry Skin

There are many things that you can do to alleviate dry skin caused by GIST treatment.

Using a mild, moisturizing soap such as Aveeno, Neutrogena or Dove can greatly help reduce dry skin in many cases. Other lotions that you find in beauty, drug, and grocery stores can also obviously be very useful. Some may be better for you than others, so don’t be discouraged if a few don’t help, there are many more out there. Make sure to avoid using perfumed or scented lotions which can further irritate and dry out the skin because of their ingredients.
Using an emollient has been shown in certain cases to be much more effective than using a lotion. (An emollient is a cream that softens and moisturizes the skin). Some examples of emollients that have been shown to be effective are Aquaphor, Eucerin, Nivea, and Cetaphil.
Applying the moisturizer after a shower or bath when your skin is most moisturized should make the emollient much more effective as it will lock in the extra moisture in your skin.
Using baby oil after a shower is a good way to lock in moisture as well.
Be sure to avoid wearing aftershave, cologne, or perfume as these tend to dry out skin.
In severe cases leading to mild to severe itching, using a cooling gel, corn starch, or pain killing cream can be helpful (Be sure to follow all instructions on pain killing cream boxes).

While there are management techniques for dry skin, trying to keep skin from drying out in the first can be tremendously effective in managing dry skin. Try the following tips to keep your skin moisturized:

Drinking 8-10 glasses a day of non-alcoholic fluid should increase skin’s natural moisture.
Using a sunscreen when going in the sun of SPF 30 or greater
Massaging the skin
Wearing cotton clothes next to the skin
Make sure to wash your clothes in a more mild detergent.

Links:

http://www.oncolink.com/coping/article.cfm?c=5&s=75&ss=186&id=991
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_2_2X_Will_My_Skin_Be_Affected.asp?sitearea=MBC

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