Chemotherapy and Cold Sensitivity

Chemotherapy and Cold Sensitivity: What You Need to Know

Chemotherapy and cold sensitivity—they go hand in hand, don’t they?

Firstly, before diving into this blog, I reached out to friends who have endured chemotherapy to understand their experiences with cold sensitivity. To my surprise, only one mentioned significant issues with cold. Wait, what? I sell blankets and socks on my website for this very reason! Was I missing something? It turns out, I was. Here’s what I learned, along with a few nuggets of chemo knowledge you may find surprising.

What Is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a broad term for drugs designed to destroy cancer cells, either by killing them or preventing their division. With over 100 different chemotherapy drugs available, treatments can range from a single-drug to combinations tailored to specific cancers.

One particular drug, Oxaliplatin, is notorious for causing cold sensitivity, also known as cold dysesthesia. This means anything cold, like metals, food, or drinks, can become uncomfortable or even painful to touch or consume. Oxaliplatin is commonly used to treat cancers such as bowel, stomach, pancreatic, and oesophageal cancers.

Thyroid Cancer and Cold Sensitivity

For those battling thyroid cancer, cold sensitivity can be amplified by the underlying condition itself. As someone with thyroid issues, I can relate. I live in thermal layers and dread the supermarket’s fridge section. Add chemotherapy to the mix and the cold becomes nearly unbearable. Cancer patients dealing with this side effect often gravitate toward thermals, cashmere, hot water bottles, and anything that promises warmth.

Neuropathy and Raynaud’s Disease

Cold sensitivity doesn’t stop with chemotherapy. It can also affect people with:

• Neuropathy: Nerve damage caused by conditions like diabetes, autoimmune diseases kidney disease. Exposure to cold can worsen symptoms, as the body slows blood flow to extremities to preserve core warmth.
• Raynaud’s Disease: A phenomenon where poor blood circulation in the fingers and toes causes them to turn white and numb in cold conditions. While not life-threatening, it can be incredibly uncomfortable, making thermal socks and gloves a must.

Staying Warm and Supported

To conclude, what this taught me is that no two chemotherapy patients are the same. Cold sensitivity, whether caused by chemo, thyroid conditions, neuropathy or Raynaud’s, varies widely. However, one thing is universal: staying warm is essential for both comfort and well-being.

That’s why we stock Heat Holders® thermal socks and blankets, designed to combat these issues. Their superior heat-retention technology makes them a lifesaver for anyone dealing with cold sensitivity.

• Read reviews from chemotherapy patients here.
• Read reviews from neuropathy sufferers here.
• Read reviews from Raynaud’s sufferers here.

We’re Here to Help

If you’ve found a product or tip that helped you or a loved one, we’d love to hear about it. Your input could make a real difference for someone else navigating their journey.

Special thanks to Niamh Stenson, Diane Chambers Dowman, Maria Ryan, Kathryn Dolphin Griffin, and Debbie Sheehy McAuliffe for sharing their experiences.