Ways to combat large crowds while on chemotherapy

Avoiding people is nearly impossible while on chemotherapy, but there are ways to help prevent infections and keep yourself healthy during your treatment.

Here are some tips:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Be sure to wash your hands before eating and before touching your face or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.).
• Wash your hands after using the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Wash your hands after touching animals, collecting trash, or taking out garbage.
• Wash your hands after visiting a public place or touching items used by others.
• Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands when you’re out.
• Use moist cleaning wipes to clean surfaces and things that you touch, such as door handles, ATM or credit card keypads, and any items that are used by other people.
• Stay away from anyone with a fever, the flu, or other infection.
• Get your flu shot every fall. Encourage other members of your household to get it, too. DO NOT get the nasal mist flu vaccine.
• Bathe every day. Be sure to wash your feet, groin, armpits, and other moist, sweaty areas.
• Do not get manicures or pedicures at salons or spas (you can use your own personal and well-cleaned tools at home). Do not use false nails or nail tips.
• Wear shoes all the time – in the hospital, outdoors, and at home. This helps you avoid injury and keep germs off your feet.
• If you cut or scrape your skin, clean the area right away with soap and warm water. Cover the area with a clean bandage to protect it. If the bandage gets wet or dirty, clean the area and put on a new bandage. Tell your doctor if you notice redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness.
• Stay away from all standing water, for example, in vases, denture cups, and soap dishes. If you store your dentures in a cup, wash the cup and change the water with each use.
• Stay away from chicken coops, caves, and any place where dust from the ground is being blown into the air, such as construction sites.
• Talk with your doctor or nurse if you are planning any travel during this time.
• Try to not go to the grocery stores during peak hours.
• Sit in the less corwded area at churches or events.
• Wear a mask!

The moral of the story? WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY!!!

**Some info taken from the American Cancer Society website**