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Psychology, family and everyday life

Underwear: hygiene and comfort

Underwear sits closest to the skin. When neutrophils are low, skin folds and the genital area are more vulnerable to infection.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Neatly folded clean clothes on a white chair
Figure 1.Clean underwear every day

01Short answer

Choose soft, cotton underwear that is not tight and does not trap moisture in skin folds. Change it daily, and more often with sweating, diarrhoea or leaking urine. Women may find a soft, wire-free bra comfortable, especially with a catheter or swelling. Wash underwear separately on a hot cycle and dry it fully (“Laundry: clean and dry”). For clothes soiled with body fluids in the first days after chemotherapy see “Body fluids: precautions at home” and “Soiled clothing: washing it safely”. Tell your team about itching, discharge, burning or pain; it may be a fungal infection.

02Simple explanation

Cotton, not tight.

Change daily.

Separately, hot wash.

Itching, discharge: tell us.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: during neutropenia, personal hygiene, including care of the genital area, reduces infection risk.

NCI: chemotherapy can lower neutrophils, platelets and red cells, which raises the risk of infection, bleeding and fatigue.

04What happens in the body?

Fungus

Antibiotics and steroids raise the risk of fungal infection.

Children

Change nappies often for children who wear them.

Neutrophils

The first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.

Platelets

Help blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

05Daily protection: four steps

Wash, protect, check, report.

Wash — Hands and personal hygiene.1WashHands and personal hygiene.
Protect — Against injury and infection.2ProtectAgainst injury and infection.
Check — Temperature and skin.3CheckTemperature and skin.
Report — Tell your team about changes.4ReportTell your team about changes.
HygieneClean hands.
TemperatureThe 38 °C threshold.
ProtectionYour team's rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
FungusAntibiotics and steroids raise the risk of fungal infection.
ChildrenChange nappies often for children who wear them.
NeutrophilsThe first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.
PlateletsHelp blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

07Key terms

Candidiasis
A fungal infection.
Skin fold
Where skin folds over.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Cotton.
  • Daily.
  • Tell us.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I use panty liners?

Fragrance-free ones, changed often.

Tampons?

Ask your team when platelets are low or during neutropenia.

What should I watch every day?

Temperature, bleeding, tiredness and the catheter site; tell your team about any change.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Can I use panty liners?

  2. Tampons?

  3. What should I watch every day?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  2. National Cancer Institute. Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia) and Cancer Treatment
  3. National Cancer Institute. Anemia and Cancer Treatment
  4. World Health Organization. World Hand Hygiene Day
  5. NHS (UK). Support and benefits for carers
  6. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2010. Interventions with family caregivers of cancer patients: meta-analysis of randomized trials
  7. Cancer, 2016. Caring for caregivers and patients: Research and clinical priorities for informal cancer caregiving
  8. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Financial Toxicity and Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  9. American Cancer Society. Working During Cancer Treatment
  10. American Cancer Society. Work Accommodations When You or a Family Member Has Cancer
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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