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Socks and shoes: protection from falls and infection

During treatment the feet can become weak, numb (neuropathy) and swollen, and skin injuries easily become infected. The right socks and shoes protect against this.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Feet in soft slippers on a bedroom rug
Figure 1.Comfortable non-slip footwear at home

01Short answer

Do not walk barefoot at home or in hospital. Wear slippers or shoes with a closed heel and a non-slip sole. Choose soft cotton socks without tight elastic and change them daily. Use your own rubber sandals in the shower. Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, redness or inflammation around the nails. Cut toenails straight across; when platelets or neutrophils are low, do not deal with nails or corns without asking your team (“Nails: short, clean, no cuts”). With neuropathy, test the water temperature with your hand.

02Simple explanation

No bare feet.

Non-slip, closed heel.

Own shower sandals.

Check your feet.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: some chemotherapy medicines cause peripheral neuropathy, which raises the risk of falls and foot injury.

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

04What happens in the body?

Neuropathy

Numbness can mean not feeling an injury to the foot.

Swelling

If shoes pinch, choose a larger size and tell your team.

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
NeuropathyNumbness can mean not feeling an injury to the foot.
SwellingIf shoes pinch, choose a larger size and tell your team.
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

Peripheral neuropathy
Nerve damage in hands and feet, causing numbness.
Paronychia
Inflammation around a nail.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • No bare feet.
  • Non-slip.
  • Check.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

My feet are numb.

Tell your team and walk carefully.

Can I have a pedicure?

Usually not until your counts recover; ask.

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. My feet are numb.

  2. Can I have a pedicure?

  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. American Cancer Society. Financial and Insurance Matters
  6. Macmillan Cancer Support. Money and work
  7. Cancer and Careers. Resources for working people with cancer
  8. Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population (Azerbaijan). Disability assessment: general information (in Azerbaijani)
  9. JAMA, 2009. Cancer survivors and unemployment: a meta-analysis and meta-regression
  10. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2018. The financial burden and distress of patients with cancer: Understanding and stepping-up action on the financial toxicity of cancer treatment
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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