Peripheral Neuropathy
Key Points

Management of peripheral neuropathy

If you have peripheral neuropathy you may notice that you need to rely on your eyesight to help you with getting around safely. Visual cues (using your vision to guide you more, instead of your sense of touch, for example) will help you avoid injuries that could happen as a result of having peripheral neuropathy.

You may not need all of these tips now, and may never need them all, but some may be helpful to you at some point if you are experiencing peripheral neuropathy. Some of the ways that you can make your environment safer and reduce the chance of injury include:

Lighting
Stairs
Floors
Bathroom
Kitchen
Garage or yard
Driving
Clothing
General Safety Tips
Prevention of Constipation

Lighting

• Light switches or lamps should be located at the entrance of a room.
• Turn lights on before you enter a room.
• The room should be bright enough that you can see all areas where you need to walk or do other activities.
• All stairways inside and outside of your home should have lights on before you walk on them.
• Keep a night light in your room and along the path you walk during the night if you get up.

Stairs

• Handrails should be put up on both sides of all stairways and hallways.
• Cover stairs with a non-slip surface.
• Clear stairways and hallways of objects, such as small area rugs and clutter.
• Ensure that stairways are well lit.

Floors

• Floors should have non-glare and non-skid surfaces.
• If there are area rugs on the floor, especially in the bathroom, they should have a non-slip backing.
• Ensure that carpet edges are securely tacked down.
• Wipe up spills and liquids immediately.

Bathrooom

• Avoid slippery, wet floors. Wipe up liquids immediately.
• Tubs and showers should have non-skid mats or strips.
• Use portable over-the-tub handgrips or install shower grips.
• Use a non-breakable water thermometer to check that your bath water is below 110° F (43.3° C). This is important if you are having trouble feeling changes in temperature.

Kitchen

• Secure any area rugs in the kitchen area. Use non-slip backing on the rugs.
• Use rubber gloves to wash dishes. The gloves will protect your hands from very hot water.
• Use a non-breakable water thermometer to check the dishwater temperature before you wash dishes so that you do not injure your skin with water hotter than 110° F.
• Use lightweight, non-breakable glasses, utensils, and plates.
• Shield your fingers when cutting foods.
• Open jars with special equipment, such as grippers.
• Use pot holders and oven mitts to handle items such as hot pots and pans.
• Use gloves when reaching into the freezer.

Garage or yard

• Absorb oil spills with sand or kitty litter.
• Store rakes, shovels, and other garden equipment off the floor.
• Keep walkways clear of toys, wet rags, hoses, buckets, and other clutter.
• Consider wearing rubber shoes or boots when working in the garage or garden.
• Avoid the use of motorized yard and garage equipment such as lawn mowers, branch trimmers, electric saws, and snow blowers. You may have trouble with handling these pieces of equipment safely.

Driving

• Discuss with your health care provider your current driving skills and ability to feel the gas and brake pedals, steering wheel and any changes in reaction time.

Clothing

• Shoes should fit over your instep and have treaded soles.
• Use assistive devices for dressing. For example, you may find it easier to dress in shirts with Velcro, instead of having to button shirts. Your doctor may refer you to an occupational therapist to help with these items.
• Use jewelry without fasteners that can be put on without assistance.

General Safety Tips

• Special pens, pencils and utensils can help you hold these objects more easily.
• Wear shoes that go over the instep of your feet.
• Wear gloves and warm socks in cold weather.
• Wear jewelry that you can put on without help, such as those without fasteners.

Prevention of Constipation

• Make sure that you are taking in enough fluids - at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.
• Make sure that you are eating foods high in fiber to help prevent constipation. Examples of foods that are high in fiber include apples, bananas, berries, broccoli, green peppers, red cabbage, spinach, brown rice, wheat bran cereals, nuts, and oatmeal.
• Your doctor may ask you to take a stool softener or a laxative to help prevent constipation.

Information from the Ohio State University Medical Center Peripheral Neuropathy Related to Cancer and Cancer Treatment Guidelines.