Provides localised relief from pain and inflammation
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are life-saving treatments. Among the most common side effects of cancer therapy are nausea, fatigue, allergic reactions, hair loss, fever, and inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. Cancer treatment not only slows the growth of harmful tumour cells, but the reduced cell division also impairs the regulation of moisture on the skin's surface and the cell renewal process in mucous membranes. This can result in dry skin and dry mucous membranes in the mouth, vaginal, and anal regions. The consequences for the skin and mucous membranes are: dryness, redness, a burning sensation, swelling, and pain.
The AgainLife® oncology skincare range, which includes OraLife®, EvaLife®, GutLife®, and RaLife®, provides localised relief from pain, inflammation, and helps protect against dryness. The products are intended for use before, during, and after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. All AgainLife® products are hormone- and cortisone-free and have been tested for biocompatibility.
Skin Care During Cancer Therapy
Over 18 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them can be helped – including through chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy can be a lifesaver. However, the side effects of chemotherapy are severe...
How Does Chemotherapy Work?
Chemotherapy is given for cancer either as a standalone treatment or as a supplement to other therapies. The purpose of taking cytostatics is to prevent the tumour from growing or even to make it shrink. Cytostatics interfere with cell division. Since cancer cells divide particularly quickly, they are especially susceptible to cytostatics. This is the basis of how chemotherapy works.
Where Do the Side Effects of Chemotherapy Come From?
The drugs cannot distinguish whether the rapidly dividing cells they attack are healthy, normal body cells or tumour cells. The majority of chemotherapy's side effects result from this problem. Rapidly dividing body cells are found, for example, in the bone marrow, in hair follicles, in various mucous membranes and in germ cells. All these cells are also attacked by chemotherapy. The attack on the bone marrow weakens the immune system, problems in the hair follicles often cause head hair to fall out, and issues in the germ cells can sometimes lead to infertility. Damage to the mucous membranes in the gut can lead to diarrhoea, while damage to mucous membranes in the mouth can lead to painful inflammation; the mucous membrane in the vagina can become dry and painful. Diarrhoea and mucous discharge can irritate the skin in the anal area, often resulting in fissures and painful inflammation. Chemotherapy can also lead to itchy and flaky skin. The skin can become cracked, discoloured, or show allergy symptoms. The damaged skin and mucous membranes are also particularly susceptible to infections. Radiotherapy also damages mucous membranes and the skin. Although the beam is aimed specifically at the tumour, it travels in a straight line through the body and naturally also hits skin and mucous membranes. Not every person affected experiences the same chemotherapy side effects, and different medications also cause slightly different side effects. Skin care during the treatment phase must be precisely tailored to the respective skin problems.
Inflamed Skin from the Side Effects of Chemotherapy
In inflammatory processes, mast cells play a prominent role. Their function is not yet fully understood, but they are capable of both initiating inflammatory reactions and fighting inflammation. If they overreact, allergic reactions or severe inflammation occur. They can directly fight pathogens or cancer cells. For example, they can mitigate the effects of snake venom. And in early pregnancy, they protect the developing embryo from being rejected. It is easy to imagine what happens when the balance of mast cells is disturbed by the side effects of chemotherapy. The skin feels dry, cracks, hurts, feels hot, swells or burns. The common recommendation for skin care for chemotherapy side effects, in addition to cooling the affected areas, is a moisturising skin cream or ointment that is rich in lipids. This should be free of hormones and cortisone to avoid provoking any interactions, and also be extremely well tolerated, even by sensitive, inflamed skin.
AgainLife Care Product for Inflamed Skin and Mucous Membranes During Cancer Therapy
Protecting Skin and Mucous Membranes with F.A.G.®
If, during the inflammatory process, the mediators (consisting of fatty acids from the cell membrane) are not present in sufficient quantities to fight inflammation, this leads to damage to the skin and mucous membranes. F.A.G.® is able to provide exactly the fatty acids the cells need to control the inflammatory process. Research into the biological modulation of inflammatory cells (B.M.I.C.®) led to the creation of a fatty acid compound (F.A.G.®) that can effectively and naturally control the inflammatory process – and with excellent tolerability.
Modulation of Mast Cells and Macrophages with F.A.G.®
F.A.G.® controls the hyper-reactivity of the cells and ensures that inflammation does not overreact and lead to tissue damage. This happens by acting on the mediators produced by the cells of the immune system, which are located on the corresponding receptors on the mast cell and macrophage membranes. These mediators consist of fatty acids.
The 3-fold F.A.G.® Effect
controls inflammation soothes irritation and pain reduces oedema Every AgainLife care product is also highly tolerable and free of hormones and cortisone, making it suitable for the care of extremely sensitive skin. It is best to start using AgainLife skin care as soon as chemo or radiotherapy begins.
RaLife® for the Skin
Use RaLife® Cream to protect skin damaged by the side effects of chemotherapy or other cancer therapies. RaLife® Cream can be used for skin care on the face, or on other particularly sensitive areas of the body such as the armpits or chest. The cream should be applied as needed and gently massaged in until it is completely absorbed. The skin should not be exposed to any mechanical stress afterwards.
OraLife® Gel: A Care Product for Oral Mucous Membranes
OraLife® Gel is a care product for damaged oral mucous membranes. If used in good time, it can counteract inflammation of the oral mucous membranes caused by the side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This can effectively combat pain, aphthae, burning, and dryness. Apply OraLife® Gel to the damaged areas of the mucous membranes in the mouth three to four times a day as needed.
GutLife® Cream: A Care Product for the Anal Area
GutLife® Ointment has been developed for the anal area. The ointment should be carefully applied three times a day to skin and mucous membranes of the anus and perianal area damaged by chemotherapy side effects. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after, observe the rules of cleanliness and hygiene, and change your underwear daily. GutLife® Ointment combats minor pain, redness, itching, and swelling in the anal area caused by chemical or thermal stress through the F.A.G.® active ingredient complex it contains.
EvaLife® Ointment for the Vaginal Area
In the vaginal area, chemotherapy, anti-hormone therapy, radiotherapy, or menopausal symptoms can cause dryness, inflammation, and thus an increased susceptibility to infections. EvaLife® Ointment is anti-inflammatory and soothes pain and irritation. Hyaluronic acid and F.A.G.® make the skin and mucous membranes in the vaginal area supple again. Apply EvaLife® Ointment carefully to the affected regions three times a day until symptoms have completely subsided. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after. Ensure adequate intimate hygiene with a pH-neutral care product. Observe the rules of cleanliness and hygiene and change your underwear daily. Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer needs all their strength to defeat the disease. The side effects of cancer therapies are unpleasant and painful and cost strength and energy. AgainLife care products help to protect the skin and mucous membranes from chemotherapy side effects and contain problems, thereby giving a piece of quality of life back.
AgainLife care products are over-the-counter medical devices, meaning they can be obtained without a prescription. You can buy them on our website or at your pharmacy.