Notify the doctor. If you notice the signs of hand-foot syndrome after chemotherapy treatment, contact the doctor right away.

Ask if the chemo dosage should be lowered. Studies show this can control hand-foot syndrome without reducing the effectiveness of chemo treatment. If a severe reaction develops, the doctor may even decide to postpone a chemo treatment.

Avoid exposure to heat or pressure. Because both heat and pressure can cause the blood vessels to break, avoid exposure to heat and any activity that squeezes or puts pressure on the hands and feet.

Other advice to patients:

• Don't use really hot water when showering or washing up, and try not to immerse your hands in water any more than absolutely necessary.
• Ask someone else to do the dishes! (Even using rubber gloves to wash dishes won't help, as the heat trapped inside the rubber can trigger a reaction.
• Avoid rubbing or putting pressure on the skin of the hands and feet. Do this as much as possible for a week after treatment. Things to avoid include:
  • Washing vigorously.
  • Jumping or running.
  • Wearing tight shoes.
  • Using hand tools such as hammers, pliers, or screwdrivers around the house (the squeezing action can trigger HFS).
  • Working with garden tools such as clippers or trowels.
  • Chopping food.