Ice in the mouth, does it really cut down on oral mucocitis?

Specialties Oncology

Published

  1. Does Ice in the mouth during chemo reduce mouth lesions?

    • 1
      Yes, it reduces mucositis.
    • 1
      No, it doesn't do any good at all.
    • 0
      I don't really think it matters.
    • 0
      I don't really know the right answer!

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

I just got off the phone with a friend who said my explaining to her the advantages of using ice in the mouth during chemo and she said, "That's not a viable treatment to prevent mucocitis."

Anyway, what is the truth?

And, any tips you have on preparing for the chemo class please give me some, I'm about to take the course. Thanks!!!

I am fairly in the dark about chemo had very little training on it, but I would say when answering a question about care for mucocitis it may be something like "magic mouthwash" maalox, lidocaine (and something else as well). I don't remember but there are probably multiple more interventions I cannot think of. Also ice chips would be contraindicated if the patient was receiving certain medications like oxaliplatin for example.

I think that the data is unclear (but I'm not up on the latest research). In the infusion room where I have worked, some nurses offer cups of ice to people who are getting adriamycin pushes. They think it makes a difference in reducing mouth sores. Other nurses don't offer ice. It can be confusing the patients if we're not consistent.

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