What are the symptoms?

What stage of hand-foot syndrome are you in?

If you are undergoing chemotherapy treatment, you may be suffering from chapped skin and blisters on your hands and/or feet. The overview below describes the different stages of hand-foot syndrome (HFS). The symptoms/complaints associated with hand-foot syndrome can vary a great deal from one person to another.

Do you have any signs for stage 1 hand-foot syndrome? Moisturise your skin with a greasy cream, avoid stress and discuss your symptoms with your doctor or specialist oncology nurse.

Different stages of hand-foot syndrome

Stage 1 (mild) – Symptoms

The skin on the soles of the feet and/or the palms of the hands may be red, slightly swollen and and blisters and/or calluses may begin (or start) to form. There may be no pain at this stage.

What can you do?

Use a greasy cream
Avoid stress
Change shoes regularly

Hands

Feet

Stage 2 (medium) – Symptoms

There is an increase in the symptoms.

redness
chapped skin
blisters
bleeding
mild swelling
calluses that are painful

These symptoms may not bother you too much during the day.

What can you do?

Use a greasy cream
Avoid stress
Change shoes regularly
Cover your skin with a greasy cream and wrap your hands and/or feet with cling film
Very red skin (erythema) can be treated with an antiseptic bath or hemorrhoid cream

Hands

Feet

Stage 3 (serious) – Symptoms

If you think you are experiencing symptoms of stage 3, please contact your doctor or specialist nurse immediately.

Ate stage 3 your symptoms may include:

redness
chapped skin
blisters
calluses
bleeding
swelling
dryness
severe pain
severe pain that limits you enormously in your daily activities, for instance when walking or holding objects

What can you do?

Use a greasy cream
Avoid stress
Change shoes regularly
Cover your skin with a greasy cream and wrap your hands and/or feet with cling film
Very red skin (erythema) can be treated with an antiseptic bath or hemorrhoid cream
In case of pain: consult your doctor