12 of the best items to include in a chemo care package – Medical News Today

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Thinking of gifting a care package to someone undergoing chemotherapy? Some items may help ease a few of the unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy and offer comfort and distraction during treatment.

This article discusses gifts for individuals going through chemotherapy in more detail, including a list of suggested gifts and how they may be beneficial.

A person undergoing chemotherapy faces a range of challenges, both physically and mentally. A thoughtfully curated chemotherapy care package may help individuals cope with unpleasant side effects, improve their sense of well-being, and help occupy them during long hours of treatment.

A care package may also have sentimental value, especially if someone cannot regularly visit a loved one during chemotherapy.

It may help by understanding what side effects a person undergoing chemo is experiencing before choosing gifts for a care package.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the American Cancer Society (ACS), common side effects of cancer treatment include, but are not limited to:

Gifts that help improve or soothe some of these side effects may help a person undergoing chemotherapy feel more comfortable, confident, and positive during their treatment. Adding personalized items or handwritten notes and messages can also encourage and support people through this challenging time.

According to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, adding a personalized or handwritten card or message to your gift can help and support loved ones going through treatment.

And although it does not feature in the suggested products below, a person undergoing chemotherapy may also appreciate a reusable water bottle to prevent dehydration.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

At least 65% of patients undergoing chemotherapy lose their hair temporarily. Chemotherapy drugs can damage hair follicles, making the hair fall out. Hair loss can occur just on the scalp or elsewhere on the body, including pubic hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes.

Additionally, the scalp can become itchy and sensitive to brushing, combing, and washing, as the hair falls out. With this in mind, a thoughtful gift of a soft cotton-lined hat or a gentle shampoo and conditioner may help someone feel more comfortable.

Headcovers offers a range of hats, scarves, and wigs for people with cancer.

This soft viscose cap consists of bamboo and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It features a full lining with no exposed seams, which helps reduce scalp sensitivity.

The cap is also reportedly comfortable enough to wear while sleeping.

This product is available for $32.99

For a personalized gift, a person may prefer to make a hat for a loved one by using a free pattern from the ACS.

According to the manufacturer, this gentle cleanser and conditioner combination is suitable for cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

This product is free from sulfates and parabens. It also contains aloe vera to soothe the scalp.

The company claims the product is certified as vegan and organic.

The price is around $15.95 on Amazon.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause nausea and vomiting, but this depends on the drugs that healthcare professionals use to treat patients and how they administer them.

According to the ACS, chemotherapy through an intravenous drip can cause nausea and vomiting much faster. This is because the body absorbs these drugs more rapidly than through oral administration.

The following gifts may help patients cope with nausea and vomiting.

Ginger can be an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy.

According to the manufacturer, these organic ginger tea bags are free from caffeine and additives.

Recommendations on the label state to steep the tea bags for 36 minutes.

A box of 18 tea bags costs around $7.99 on Amazon.

Hard candy, such as lemon drops or mints, may help remove the unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth from chemotherapy. However, it is important to note that sugar-free candy may cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea in some people.

These sugar-free lemon sherbet candies come individually wrapped and feature a sherbert center.

They are available for around $6.99 on Amazon.

The NCI states chemotherapy treatment can cause the skin to become dry, itchy, or red. It may even cause the skin to darken in appearance or peel, while the nails may also become cracked and dark.

Fragrance-free skin care that is gentle and mild can help moisturize and soothe dry and irritated skin, and lip balms and hand creams can ease chapped or cracked lips and nails.

This soothing nonfoaming facial wash is free from fragrances, parabens, and soap. Therefore, it is suitable for dry or sensitive skin.

A person can use this product on their face or body. Its ingredients include:

The price starts from around $14.99 on Amazon for a 16 fluid ounce bottle.

This lightweight gel contains prebiotic oats and feverfew to moisturize and hydrate the skin gently.

It may also help soothe sensitive and irritated skin.

The gel is hypoallergenic and free from:

The product costs around $18.89 on Amazon.

This lip balm contains vitamin E to moisturize, while its SPF of 25 provides an extra layer of protection.

It comes in a variety of flavors, including lemon and shea butter, and grapefruit and ginger.

Prices start from $8 on Amazon for a quarter-ounce container.

This hand cream helps repair dry, cracked skin and strengthen nails.

According to the manufacturer, the petroleum jelly and keratin formula prevents nails from chipping or breaking while leaving hands soft and smooth.

A pack of two bottles costs around $7.69 on Amazon.

A well-chosen gift of soft sweatpants or cozy pair of socks can help make people undergoing chemotherapy feel more comfortable during their treatment. A person should consider natural, breathable fabrics that are soft and warming, as chemotherapy can make some individuals more sensitive to cold.

These socks are available in a range of colors and patterns. They come in shoe sizes ranging from 6 to 11.

Its sole features silicone rubber grips to prevent slipping on smooth hospital floors, while a cozy fleece lining helps keep the feet and toes warm and comfortable.

They are available for around $11.99 on Amazon.

These sweatpants feature a cozy lining and an adjustable drawstring waist, making them warm and comfortable to wear during extended periods of treatment.

They are available in a variety of colors and sizes, from XS to XXL.

Prices start from around $26.99 on Amazon.

Chemotherapy treatments can take up to several hours, depending on the types of drugs that healthcare professionals administer to patients.

Giving a person a puzzle or activity to pass the time while they receive treatment can be a welcome distraction from treatment.

This variety puzzle book features 400 puzzles to test a persons sudoku, word search, crossword, and general puzzle skills.

It is small enough to pack into a purse or backpack and is suitable for all levels, from novice to expert.

The book costs around $5.99 on Amazon.

This double-issue paperback book features 70 pages of illustrations to color in, including mandala designs and positive affirmations for people with cancer on every page.

This product is available for $6.97.

Chemotherapy can be a long and challenging process. Receiving gifts that bring comfort, ease side effects, and provide distractions from treatment, may help make the process a little easier for individuals.

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12 of the best items to include in a chemo care package - Medical News Today