Chemo-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Tips for CIPN management, comfort, and safety

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Understanding that CIPN can have a big impact on how one lives their life, below are some suggestions on how to reduce discomfort & improve function for your hands & feet as well as how to reduce your fall risk at home.

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Hands: reducing discomfort & improving function

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• Use oven mitts & potholders in the kitchen to avoid burns

• Wear gloves when performing gardening & yard work as well as in cold weather to keep your hands warm, even if they don't feel cold

• Choose tools with large, nonslip handles that are easier to hold & use

  • You can buy adaptive foam or rubber grips to build up the handles of these tools or even use a washcloth and duct tape ​to DIY your own "built-up" grip

• Consider using adaptive utensils and gadgets for eating & food preparation i.e. rocker knives and/or a vegetable chopper machine

• Try non-skid liners/mats on counters/tables to steady plates & bowls when cooking/eating along with opening jars

• Avoid lifting and carrying heavy objects, try to opt for smaller items to handle & transport.

  • For grocery shopping, consider either ordering your food online & having it delivered to your house or bringing a "granny-kart" to carry your items on wheels vs. carrying heavy bags​

• Use electric appliances vs. manual appliances whenever possible

• Use assistive technology and/or assistive settings for texting, typing, or communicating with others

• Stay away from tight clothes & jewelry

• Wear loose clothes and avoid buttons, or consider using velcro style button aids and/or magnetic buttons to make donning/doffing clothes easier

• Try assistive devices like zipper pulls, button hooks, dressing sticks, reachers, sock aids, and shoe horns to make dressing easier

• Consider elastic shoe laces, velcro straps, or slip on shoes to minimize the fine motor movement to tie your shoes

• Try a blow dryer stand to minimize needing to hold your blow dryer

• Use a thermometer to check the temperature of water before handling it to avoid burning yourself or freezing yourself

  • If you don't have a thermometer, try using another part of your body that is not affected by the neuropathy to test the temperature of water prior to using it​

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Feet: reducing discomfort & improving function

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• Avoid going barefoot or wearing open-toed shoes to prevent foot injuries

• Invest in orthopedic shoes and socks to increase mobility, reduce pain and offer better balance and support

  • Consider trying "rocker bottom" shoe soles and/or soft shoe inserts​

  • Make sure there is a comfortable amount space in your shoes for your feet i.e. extra width & deep toe boxes at the front of your shoe

  • Keep your shoes updated and strive to use the ones with the best support often i.e. tennis shoes or running sneakers

  • If unsure where to start, consult a foot specialist to get fit to find the best shoe for you

• Attach a bell to your shoe laces to increase your awareness of foot placement when you are walking around

• Use anti-fatigue mats in the kitchen, bathroom, or other frequently used areas of the home to relieve pressure/pain from your feet

• Consider using a high stool or chair in busy parts of your house for sitting breaks to provide relief to your feet while doing chores, grooming, or working in the kitchen​

• Wear socks in the winter to keep your feet warm, even if they don't feel cold

• Try compression stockings to provide equal pressure to support your feet to provide relief from the pain & discomfort of peripheral neuropathy.

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Home: reducing risk for falls

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• Use a cane, walker, electric scooter, or wheelchair (depending on your level of mobility) to help maintain your balance and/or to provide extra support when getting around in your home & in the community

  • For assistive devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, and/or electric scooters, consider attaching a basket to help with carrying personal items around the house or in the community​

• Consider foot braces to help alleviate pain caused by nerve compression, to prevent foot drop, and to support your balance

• Adapt your bathroom with grab bars, non-slip bathmats, shower benches/chairs to provide extra support with transfers into & out the shower, bathtub, and on & off the toilet

• Install handrails in areas with steps

• Remove loose rugs or invest in adhesive/pinning accessories to help secure them in your home i.e. carpet tape, rug pads, rug pins, etc.

• Strive to remove clutter from your house and yard to create clear walk-ways

• Invest in keeping the rooms of your home well-lit, even at night.  Try placing night lights throughout the house to illuminate walkways when it is dark

• Use on/off switches for lighting that don't require bending over i.e. clicker, fingertip touch, or motion sensor