Protect Yourself From Infection During Breast Cancer: 10 Tips

When you are in treatment for cancer, your body can’t fight off germs as well as it should. You’re at especially high risk of infection if your white blood cell counts are low or you’ve had lymph nodes removed. You can help guard your system against bacteria, viruses, and fungi with some smart steps.

Wash up the right way: Use warm water and soap whenever possible. Scrub for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t have access to soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizer will do in a pinch. Not only is it crucial to keep your own hands washed, but the people around you need to keep clean, too. Teach family and friends how to help keep you safe with good hand hygiene.

Your gums are an easy entrypoint for germs, so brush your teeth well and often—but not too hard. Use a soft-bristled brush, so you don’t damage the gum tissue. Ask your doctor for flossing tips. If you use a mouthwash, be sure it’s not alcohol-based.

Another quick route for germs to get in your system is through your chemo port. Always wash your hands before touching the port. Never touch the catheter tip when the cap is off. Clean the area around the bandage regularly and keep it dry.

Take a warm bath, shower, or sponge bath every day. Take special care with areas where bacteria gathers such as your groin and armpits. Moisturize well after drying. This protects the skin barrier that helps keep germs out. Instead of shaving with a razor, switch to creams for hair removal so you don’t get cuts.

Manicures and pedicures at a salon can come with the risk of infection, so it’s best to do nail care at home. Keep your nails trimmed and your cuticles pushed back so you’re not tempted to put your fingers in your mouth or pick at them and let germs in.

When you’re working with knives or gardening tools that could cut you, cover your hands with gloves to prevent potential knicks. Germs from soil or food could cause illness once they get in through a cut.

It’s tempting to mess with bumps and irritations on your skin, but keep your hands away from rashes, bug bites, pimples, and scabs, especially since fingernails can harbor dirt and germs.

Opt for non-drying, gentle bug repellants to help keep insects from biting or stinging you. Any kind with alcohol will likely dry out your skin and open the door for infection.

If you do happen to get a cut, scrape, or other skin damage, take care of it fast. Wash it and apply antibiotic ointment. Cover with a bandage to block out germs, and tell your doctor if you notice any redness, swelling, or pain, which can be signs of infection.

You can’t be too careful when it comes to contagious germs. When you’re jammed in with a crowd of people, you run the risk of catching something.  Your best bet is to avoid large gatherings altogether. If you must go out into a crowd, wear a mask. 

Avoid anyone who is sick until they are better. If that’s not possible, you should both mask up.