Peripheral Neuropathy (numbness and tingling) Prevention and Management

Understanding Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common and potentially permanent side effects of cancer treatment. It occurs when chemotherapy drugs damage the peripheral nerves in your hands and feet, causing numbness, tingling, burning pain, and loss of sensation that can persist long after treatment ends.

Common Symptoms:

• Numbness or reduced sensation in hands and feet
• Tingling, "pins and needles" sensation
• Burning or shooting pain
• Difficulty with fine motor tasks (buttoning shirts, picking up coins)
• Balance problems and increased fall risk
• Sensitivity to cold temperatures
• Muscle weakness in affected areas

Why Prevention Matters:

Once neuropathy develops, treatment options are limited and often ineffective. Currently, there is no FDA-approved medication that reverses chemotherapy-induced nerve damage. Prevention during infusions is your best defense against this potentially life-altering side effect that can affect your ability to work, drive, and maintain independence.

The Role of Cryotherapy (Cold Therapy):

Research shows that applying cold to hands and feet during chemotherapy infusions can reduce neuropathy development by 50-70%. Cold causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing the amount of neurotoxic chemotherapy that reaches peripheral nerves in your extremities.

How Cryotherapy Works:

1. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels in hands and feet
2. Reduced blood flow means less chemotherapy exposure to nerves
3. Nerves are protected from toxic damage during peak drug levels
4. Must be used consistently during every infusion for maximum benefit

Browse our complete Neuropathy Prevention & Management Collection below to find helpful items that can help protect your nerves and maintain your independence.