We spend hundreds of hours identifying and researching the products we include in our Chemotherapy Care Boxes. Here we explain why each item has been chosen and how it can help to ease the side effects of chemotherapy treatment.
Chemotherapy can often leave a person feeling cold and drained, meaning our 2 in 1 Pillow Blanket is a chemo must have. It can be used as a pillow for comfort or unzipped to become a snuggly blanket plus it's compact enough for your loved one to take with them to use in the chemo chair. The plush, fleece fabric is super soft for sensitive chemo skin too.
Bath Salts
Himalayan bath salts have been used for centuries in beauty and wellness treatments for their soothing, moisturising and hydrating properties and are a pampering treat to help your loved one take some time out from the stresses and strains of cancer treatment, whilst moisturising and hydrating, dry skin. The Himalayan bath salts we include in our Chemotherapy Care Boxes is a blend of coarse and fine pink Himalayan Salts with no additional ingredients that could cause irritation to skin that may be sore or dry from chemotherapy treatment.
Bamboo Cutlery Set
Many people find that food tastes different during chemotherapy treatment and people often complain of a metallic taste in their mouth which can be made worse by using metal cutlery which is why we’ve included a bamboo cutlery set.
Candle
This luxurious aromatherapy soy wax candle is the perfect way to encourage a loved one to take some time to relax and pamper themselves. Our 'Relax' candle contains a gorgeous blend of Ylang Ylang, May Chang, Lavender, Rosemary & Cedar pure essential oils to help calm and relax the mind and spirit.
Cooling Ice Towel
Some chemotherapy treatments can cause hot flushes and sweats and if your loved one is having a hot flush, or is simply feeling anxious or emotional, this cooling ice towel is fantastically refreshing - just wet it and it's freezing. Can also be used as a cold salt water compress on sore, hot or irritated skin.
Cooling Pillow
Some chemotherapy treatments can cause hot flushes and sweats. Our naturally cooling gel pillow responds to body temperature allowing the pillow to transfer heat away from the body for a restful night's sleep. Can be used as a pillow insert, seat cushion or mat for rapid cooling relief.Â
Cuticle Oil
Cuticles protect nails from infection so it's important to regularly massage cuticle oil into the cuticle area, which includes the delicate skin around the nailbed, to help prevent dryness, splitting, and hangnails. Applying cuticle oil strengthens the barrier between the nail and the nail fold which can help keep out bacteria and fungus. Cuticle oil also moisturises and protects the nail.
Gel Bead Eye Mask
A soothing gel beads eye mask is ideal for relieving tired eyes from sleepless nights or the general stresses and strains that cancer brings. For added benefit, the band is fragranced with lavender, sweet orange and geranium to help your loved one relax, unwind and feel the stress melt away.
Facial Spray
Facial Spray is particularly refreshing if skin is feeling dry and sensitive from cancer treatment and provides welcome relief if your loved one is feeling nauseous or hot & sweaty from chemotherapy treatment. We have specifically chosen Evian facial spray because it is hypo-allergenic, has a neutral pH, completely free from chemical treatments and is safe for all skin types.
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Ginger Chews
Evidence shows that ginger is an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting which is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Gin Gins chewy ginger sweets are made with 10% fresh ginger and are a tasty way for your loved one to consume ginger.
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Gingernut Biscuits
We have carefully selected these Hawkens bite size Gingernut biscuits because they are by far the greatest tasting gingernut that we have ever come across. Hot and fiery as a gingernut biscuit should be, deep in flavour and with chunks of crystalised ginger, these gingernuts are a delicious way of consuming ginger (and calories) if your loved is feeling nauseous from treatment and struggling to keep large quantities of food down.Â
Ginger Beer
Ginger Beer is often recommended by cancer patients to help ease nausea, combat taste issues and help with hydration. We have chosen Heather Ale's Ginger Beer as it offers a bold, spicy kick and contains only natural ingredients and real fruit flavours, making it a healthier alternative to traditional Ginger Beer.
Glass Nail FileÂ
Chemotherapy treatment can damage nails, leaving them dry, brittle and flaky. A Glass Nail File is much gentler on natural nails which is especially important if nails have been weakened or damaged due to cancer treatment.Â
Hand and Foot Serum
Dry skin is a common side effect of chemotherapy and can leave the delicate skin on hands & feet sore and cracked. Meme Hand and Foot Serum is specially f​​​​ormulated to moisturise and nourish dry and damaged hands and feet, especially those weakened by cancer treatments.
Hand Sanitiser
Chemotherapy compromises the immune system making it more difficult to fend off viruses and bacterial infections. This all natural Botanical Hand Sanitiser will enable your loved one to keep their hands hygienically clean even when they don’t have access to soap and water.
Hydration Sachets
If your loved one is struggling to drink enough water or is dehydrated from sickness or diarrhoea (which chemotherapy treatment can also cause), hydration sachets offer a faster way to restore a healthy level of hydration than drinking water alone.
Ice Pop Mould
Some chemotherapy treatments can cause sore or dry mouths. Sucking on a ice pop can refresh the mouth and provide some relief. This ice pop mould allows you to make healthy, home made ice pops.
Lip Balm with SPF15
Dry or cracked lips are a common side effect of chemotherapy treatment and a good, moisturising lip balm can help to ease this side effect. We've chosen to include MooGoo Lip Balms in our Chemotherapy Care Boxes because all of the ingredients are edible making it a safe lip moisturiser without any chemicals. We've also chosen a lip balm containing SPF because some chemotherapy treatments can make skin extra sensitive to sun exposure.
Mint Chewing Gum
Mint is well known for relieving nausea and can also help to relieve a metallic mouth taste. We have chosen Peppersmith peppermint Xylitol chewing gum as it's sugar-free and sweetened with 100% Xylitol, a naturally derived ingredient and studies have shown that Xylitol can help reduce tooth decay by helping to prevent plaque bacteria sticking to the teeth. Oral complications are common with chemotherapy treatment and so dental hygiene is especially important. Chewing Xylitol Gum can also help to relieve a dry mouth that some people get when going through chemo treatment.
Mints
Mint is well known for easing nausea and we’ve specifically chosen Peppersmith lemon mints because feedback tells us they are gentler for sensitive or sore mouths that chemo treatment can cause. Mints can also help if your loved one has a metallic taste in their mouth. Peppersmith mints contain Xylitol and studies have shown that Xylitol can help reduce tooth decay by helping to prevent plaque bacteria sticking to the teeth. Oral complications are common with chemotherapy treatment and so dental hygiene is especially important. Sucking Xylitol mints can also help to relieve a dry mouth that some people experience when going through chemo treatment.
Moisturising Gloves & Socks
Some chemotherapy drugs can cause sore, dry hands and feet.
Non-absorbent, cotton moisturising gloves & socks help to lock in moisture by warming the skin which helps moisturising creams and lotions soak in.
Nail Care Pen
Chemotherapy treatment can weaken nails, making them brittle, ridged and prone to splitting. Meme Nail Care Pen is specially formulated to strengthen and nourish damaged nails and cuticles.
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Nail Polish Remover
If nails are weakened from chemotherapy treatment, it's important to use healthy and safe nail polish remover to avoid making nails even dryer. Without acetone the Meme Gentle Nail Polish Remover's oily formula, enriched in Sweet Almond Oil, delicately nourishes nails and cuticles.Â
Nausea Pulse Point Balm
Nausea is a common side effect of chemotherapy treatment and our nausea relief pulse point balm is a handmade, all-natural, aromatherapy pulse point treatment for use when your loved one is feeling nauseous. We've included peppermint, ginger and grapefruit essential oils which are all known to help ease the symptoms of nausea. The pocket-sized balm is the perfect size to be carried around for instant application and relief.
Nausea Relief Wristbands
Research has shown that patients who wore acupressure wristbands reported less chemotherapy related nausea on the day of treatment compared with those who didn't wear them. The plastic stud attached to the inside of the wrist band exerts pressure and stimulates the P6 (or Nei-Guan) acupressure point and it is widely believed that pressure on this point relieves nausea and vomiting. Find out more about the benefits of acupressure for easing nausea in our article - Nausea Remedies: Acupressure.
Notebook
A notebook is always helpful for your loved one to journal their thoughts and feelings, write down their appointments & treatment schedule or keep a note of what has been discussed in doctor meetings.
Puzzle Book
Chemotherapy treatment can involve a lot of waiting around and a puzzle book can help keep your loved one occupied during hospital visits. A brain workout can also help to exercise a 'chemo brain', which is a common side effect of chemotherapy which affects memory, concentration and thinking.
Queasy Drops
Queasy Drops have been developed by healthcare professionals. They contain powerful essential oils proven to relieve nausea which is a common side effect of chemotherapy. They are completely natural, drug free and 100% safe.
Satin Pillowcase
Satin is known for being kind to both hair and skin. Unlike cotton, satin is non-absorbent, meaning satin pillowcases help to retain moisture in the hair (and skin – an added bonus). Moisturised hair is less prone to breakage and with satin's smooth surface hair is less likely to knot and tangle. Satin also provides essential cooling properties for those suffering from night sweats.
Silicon Nail Polish
Chemotherapy treatment can weaken nails, making them brittle, ridged and prone to splitting. Lots of nail varnish brands contain harsh chemicals that can dry nails, but using a nail polish enriched with silicon will help to protect and strengthen nails. In addition, some chemotherapy treatments can increase the sensitivity of nails to UV light, but the Meme silicon nail polish that we include in our Chemotherapy Care Boxes has an opaque formula that helps protect nails from UV rays.Â
Sleep Cap
If your loved one is losing their hair due to chemotherapy treatment, a sleep cap is a must. It will keep their head warm and cosy - which cancer patients tell us is important when you don't have any hair, even in the warmer months. If your loved one is the middle of a big shed, it can be really distressing waking up to hair all over the pillow and many patients find using a sleep cap over night to catch shed hairs is less distressing. If your loved one hasn't lost their hair, a sleep cap can help to keep fragile hair less tangled.
We have specifically chosen a sleep cap made from bamboo as bamboo is incredibly soft on sensitive scalps. It's also breathable, absorbent and moisture wicking plus bamboo fibre is naturally resistant to harmful UV rays. Find out more about the benefits of bamboo in our article: Benefits of bamboo in chemo headwear.
Snacks
Chemotherapy treatment can affect the taste and appetite which is why we've included some energy bars in our Chemotherapy Care Boxes. Neat Natural Energy Bars are a delicious and nutritious vegan snack bar made using natural ingredients with no added sugar and no palm oil.
Socks
People undergoing chemotherapy treatment can experience very cold extremities. Our super cute, fluffy CupCake Socks come packaged to look like a cupcake and will keep your loved one cosy and comfortable.
Soothing Body Wrap
Chemotherapy treatment (and cancer in general) can cause various aches and pains. These soothing body wraps can be heated in a microwave and used to help relieve some of the discomfort from aching muscles and joint pain. Alternatively, they can be chilled and used as a cooling compress.
Sour Sweets
People going through chemotherapy treatment often experience a dry mouth and an unpleasant metallic taste. Sucking sour sweets can help to alleviate this symptom. Chemotherapy treatment can also cause taste changes and many people find that food seems tasteless. Sour and tart foods may help to stimulate their taste.
Spacemask
A cancer diagnosis is stressful and a self-heating spacemask makes a great, pampering treat for anyone facing the stress of a cancer diagnosis. From the moment your loved one opens the spacemask self heating eye mask, they will be temptingly invited on a journey of relaxation.Â
Stress Ball
Stress balls are great for relieving tension and pent up frustration. The repeated pattern of grip and release helps to alleviate tension & stress and is an activity that your loved one can do anywhere. Stress balls can also be used to help pump veins which is useful when having IV chemotherapy and they can also help to ease chemotherapy induced neuropathy. You can find out more about the benefits of the humble stress ball in our article - Coping with Stress: 7 ways a stress ball can help.
Sun Cream
Some chemotherapy treatments can make skin extra sensitive to sun exposure and your loved one may be advised to avoid direct sunlight on their skin. We've chosen to include MooGoo Cover Up SPF15 because it contains zinc oxide which is naturally derived, instead of chemical UV filters or penetration enhancers. MooGoo Cover Up SPF15 is a natural, everyday moisturiser containing SPF15 for long-lasting sun protection which can be used on the face and body.
Teabags
We include teabags in our Chemotherapy Care Boxes because we're British and everybody feels better after a nice, hot cup of tea, plus a soothing cup of tea can help with hydration - and it's important to keep hydrated when undergoing chemotherapy. We choose Pukka Tea because they only use organic, fair, high quality herbs ensuring maximum potency. We include Pukka three ginger teabags because ginger is well known for its anti-nausea properties and Pukka three mint teabags which are carefully blended to help aid digestion.
Tissues
It's always handy to have a packet of tissues around when dealing with the emotions that a cancer diagnosis can bring, but did you know that alongside hair loss, many chemotherapy patients lose their nasal hair and eyebrows & eyelashes too, often resulting in a runny nose and watery eyes. We have chosen these handy pocket tissues because they are made from 100% sustainable bamboo, meaning they are not only eco-friendly and plastic free, but they are also naturally hypoallergenic.
Udderly Smooth Extra Care Cream
with 10% Urea
Udderly Smooth Extra Care Cream contains 10% Urea which is well-known for its hydrating and protecting properties and is often recommended by oncology professionals to prevent and soothe the peeling and cracking of skin on hands and feet, associated with some chemotherapy treatments.
Some chemotherapy drugs can affect the skin on the hands and feet, causing hand and foot syndrome (HFS), or palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) which causes tenderness, redness, tingling and peeling of the skin on the palms and soles and there is evidence to show that utilising an emollient or moisturising cream containing urea can help to relieve the side effects of HFS or PPE.
Unscented Soap
Skin changes such as redness, rashes, dryness and peeling can be a common side effect of many chemotherapy treatments and your loved one may be advised to use a gentle soap and avoid scented varieties. We've chosen to include this fabulous handmade bar of traditional, cold-pressed soap because it is mild and unperfumed. Wonderfully gentle and moisturising, there is nothing extra added - no artificial colourings, scents or preservatives to irritate dry, sore or cracked skin.
Water Tracker Bottle
It's so important to stay hydrated during chemotherapy treatment and if your loved one is feeling nauseous from treatment, it can be easier to take small sips regularly throughout the day. A great way to remember to take these regular sips, is with a ‘Water Tracker’ bottle. A time tracker on the bottle reminds your loved one when they should be taking that next sip to ensure they drink little and often throughout the day.
We hope this article offers an insight into some of the chemotherapy treatment side effects that your loved one may experience as well as some of the products that are available to help manage those side effects.
It's important to note that everybody's experience of chemotherapy is different and your loved one may not experience all of the side effects that we have mentioned.
You can view our full range of Chemotherapy Care Boxes here.
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