Top tips: managing night sweats, peripheral neuropathy and itch

Some of the symptoms of lymphoma and its treatment can be very challenging and difficult to manage. This is something your medical team can talk through with you to try and find things to help.

We also asked members of our Facebook group for their ‘top tips’ for what they have found helpful to manage night sweats, peripheral neuropathy and itching. Here is what they told us. 

A person in a pink top scratches her arm with her nails
A man with grey hair and glasses smiles at the camera

Derek

Managing night sweats

  • My son always has a fan on at nighttime.
  • I used a menopause ‘chillow pillow’ (or cooling pillow).
  • I bought loads of vest tops and extra PJ bottoms as it was winter time and the sweats weren’t hot, just very, very wet and cold. I had a pile of clean tops and vests to change into several times a night.
  • A waterproof mattress cover is essential, and extra sheets for under and over. 
  • I use a small microfibre towels to dry my face and hair. They can be used anyway once the sweats stop.
A woman in a purple top with short dark hair smiles at the camera

Helen

Managing neuropathy

  • I wore comfy gloves when my hands felt like they weren’t mine!
  • I wear gloves always as soon as outdoor temperatures dip below 18 centigrade… I even wear gloves indoors if temperature is low.
  • Avoid walking around with bare feet as you won’t necessarily feel potential sharp items on the floor that could cause injury. 
  • Natural fibre socks (such as bamboo or lambswool) are breathable which is better than synthetic materials. Some people wear compression socks (making sure that they are not so tight that they affect your circulation).
  • I found Ugg (or other snuggly) boots with socks helped.
  • My feet still bother me (but are getting better) so I keep them warm and invested in a posh pair of cashmere socks to wear at night. 
  • Wear lightweight (such as Heatgen from M&S) thermal underwear as soon as the temperatures drop (from Autumn through to Spring).
  • I found paracetamol and a hot water bottle helpful.
  • I keep active and walk most days. I find sitting about didn’t help the neuropathy but walking seems to do something! 
  • I found exercising and stretching daily improves associated compromised circulation.
  • It’s important to cover any wounds on the hands and feet with a clean dressings, and inspect and change the dressing regularly to avoid infection. Any signs of infection need prompt treatment.

Managing itch

  • Keep cool and avoid perfumed products.
  • Keep dry skin well moisturised. Recommended products include Aveeno itch relief, and those containing hemp oil and shea butter. Creams containing menthol can also be helpful. A recommended over-the-counter moisturiser is Eurax (Crotamiton) cream.
  • Look for SLS-free (sodium lauryl sulphate) shower and bath products, or those with shea butter in.

This information comes from our Facebook users and online support meeting members, and is a list of suggestions from the community based on what they personally found useful and what they would like to pass on to others. This is not intended to be medical advice and is not a replacement for advice from your medical team. If you are looking for specific guidance for your own personal circumstances always consult your medical team.