How GVHD Affects Skin, Nails, Hair and Sweat Glands

The skin is the most frequent target of chronic GVHD.

Symptoms

Chronic GVHD most often affects the skin, nails, hair and sweat glands. Symptoms may include:

GVHD may also cause:

brittle or splitting fingernails and toenails
hair loss or thinning hair
changes in hair color or texture
difficulty opening your mouth due to taut skin around the mouth
an inability to sweat or handle heat for long periods of time due to damaged sweat glands
difficulty breathing due to tight skin on the chest
feeling full quickly because the abdomen is taut

Topical treatments such as corticosteroids or tacrolimus ointment, combined with systemic treatments, may relieve some of these symptoms.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) or ultraviolet radiation, used under medical supervision, are also used to treat certain kinds of skin GVHD.

Inspect your skin weekly and tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of skin GVHD. Early detection and treatment can speed up recovery and improve long-term results.
Use fragrance-free ointments or creams daily to keep your skin moist. Ointments and creams work better than lotions.

Skin GVHD increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Report any new or changing spots on your skin to your doctor.

Protect your skin from exposure to the sun. Remember that the sun’s rays can be just as damaging on a cool, cloudy day as they are on a hot, sunny day.
When outside:
- wear a hat, long sleeves and pants
- use a strong sunscreen (SPF30 or higher) on any exposed skin
- avoid being in the sun between 10 AM – 3 PM, the peak UV hours
use UV window filters

Companies like Sun Precautions® and Coolibar^® offer sun protective clothing that can help shield your skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

A laundry additive called SunGuard™ adds sun protection to your everyday clothing.

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Updated June 2024

Language English