Chemotherapy, a common cancer treatment, can cause increased sensitivity to cold temperatures. This reaction, sometimes called cold dysesthesia, involves uncomfortable or painful sensations upon cold exposure. Understanding this side effect is important for managing daily life during and after treatment.
Understanding Cold Sensitivity
Cold sensitivity is a form of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), nerve damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, pain, or discomfort in the hands, feet, mouth, and throat when exposed to cold. This can happen from cold beverages, foods, air, or touching cold objects.
Specific chemotherapy agents are linked to this side effect. Oxaliplatin, used for gastrointestinal cancers, commonly causes cold sensitivity. Taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel) and vinca alkaloids can also induce CIPN. The mechanism involves these drugs affecting nerve fibers, especially those sensing temperature.
How Long It Persists
The duration of cold sensitivity after chemotherapy varies significantly. For some, symptoms are acute, appearing shortly after an infusion and resolving within a few days or up to a week. For others, cold sensitivity can become chronic, lasting many months or even years after treatment ends.
Factors influencing duration include the specific chemotherapy drug and cumulative dose. For example, longer oxaliplatin treatment may lead to longer-lasting sensitivity. While complete resolution is possible for many, some may experience lingering symptoms.
Individual factors like overall health and initial symptom severity also affect recovery. Though nerve damage can be permanent, cold sensitivity often improves after treatment. Six months of oxaliplatin treatment, for instance, might require a full year for nerve recovery.
Strategies for Relief
Managing cold sensitivity involves practical adjustments to minimize exposure and discomfort.
Clothing and Environment
Wear warm clothing like gloves, thick socks, and scarves, especially outdoors or in air-conditioned spaces. Protect your mouth and nose with a scarf to warm inhaled air.
Food and Drink
Avoid cold food and drinks. Opt for warm or room-temperature beverages and meals to prevent oral and throat discomfort.
Daily Activities
Use warm water for washing hands and showering. Wear gloves when handling items from the refrigerator or freezer. Some research suggests chewing ice chips during oxaliplatin infusions may help prevent or lessen oral cold sensitivity by constricting blood vessels and reducing drug exposure.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Communicate openly with your healthcare team about managing chemotherapy side effects. Contact your oncology team if cold sensitivity worsens, new symptoms appear, or if it interferes with daily activities or quality of life.
Seek medical attention for numbness or lack of sensation that could lead to injury. Report any severe or persistent changes in symptoms promptly for proper evaluation and management.