Hand-foot syndrome
Hand-foot syndrome causes redness, swelling, tenderness, or peeling on the palms and soles. In severe cases, blisters can form and walking can hurt.
Why it happens
It is common with capecitabine, fluorouracil (5-FU), and liposomal doxorubicin. Some targeted pills, such as regorafenib, sorafenib, and cabozantinib, cause a similar hand-foot skin reaction.
What helps
- Apply a thick moisturizer or urea-based cream to your hands and feet every day.
- Wear loose, soft shoes and thick cotton socks.
- Avoid hot water, long walks, heavy gripping, and tight rings.
- Cool your hands and feet with cool water or a cool pack for short periods.
- Put your feet up when you rest.
Call your care team right away if you have
- You have blisters, open sores, or bleeding on your hands or feet.
- The pain keeps you from walking or using your hands.
- You see signs of infection, such as pus or warmth.
Questions to ask
- Which cream should I use, and how often?
- Should I take a break from my medicine if this gets worse?
- Can a foot care specialist help me?
Medicines that can cause this
- Amivantamab
- Axitinib
- Cabozantinib
- Capecitabine
- Cetuximab
- Fluorouracil (5-FU)
- Fruquintinib
- Lapatinib
- Lenvatinib
- Liposomal doxorubicin
- Nab-paclitaxel (paclitaxel protein-bound)
- Paclitaxel
- Panitumumab
- Regorafenib
- Sorafenib
- Sunitinib
- Tucatinib
Sources
Quick answers
- What is hand-foot syndrome during cancer treatment?
- Hand-foot syndrome causes redness, swelling, tenderness, or peeling on the palms and soles. In severe cases, blisters can form and walking can hurt.
- Why does hand-foot syndrome happen?
- It is common with capecitabine, fluorouracil (5-FU), and liposomal doxorubicin. Some targeted pills, such as regorafenib, sorafenib, and cabozantinib, cause a similar hand-foot skin reaction.
- What helps with hand-foot syndrome?
- Apply a thick moisturizer or urea-based cream to your hands and feet every day; Wear loose, soft shoes and thick cotton socks; Avoid hot water, long walks, heavy gripping, and tight rings; Cool your hands and feet with cool water or a cool pack for short periods; Put your feet up when you rest.
- When should I call my care team about hand-foot syndrome?
- You have blisters, open sores, or bleeding on your hands or feet; The pain keeps you from walking or using your hands; You see signs of infection, such as pus or warmth.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.