Mystery skin reaction post-radiation

Chrisesta67

Hi; I thought I would share my situation with this community in case anyone has experienced something similar and has an idea about what it might be. I finished radiation (33 treatments) at the end of October (so it's been a little more than a week since my last treatment). The radiation field was my right side, a square section around the mastectomy area and under the right arm. Two or three days after my last treatment, I noticed itchy bumps beginning to form on my chest and upper abdomen. The bumpy rash has spread to include most of the skin in an approx. 2-inch area around the radiation field, the center front of my neck, and on the upper part of my left breast. Much of the actual radiation field, though, is not affected. I'm mystified. The rash is periodically itchy but not painful. So, I don't think it's shingles. The little bumps don't seem to be filled with fluid (not pustules). Just hundreds of little clustered bumps in certain areas of my chest and torso. There's redness, too; but, the redness seems mainly associated with my scratching. I've spoken with one of my radiation oncology nurses over the phone; she doesn't think the rash relates to the radiation at all. I've also spoken via phone with my medical oncology NP (who's wonderful, by the way). She's going to try to get me a dermatology appointment for this Wednesday, the same day that I'm already scheduled for a post-chemo follow-up with my medical oncologist (I finished chemo last July).

It's just so peculiar that this rash has developed so soon after radiation and that it's located on the periphery of the general radiation area. I haven't been using any new soaps, lotions, or detergents. I'm just so mystified. While I wait to see a doctor, I'm wondering if anyone in this community has experienced anything like this during or soon after radiation. Just curious....

SelenaWolf

I found after radiation that my skin was reactive to substances that it had never reacted to before, i.e., my regular soap, scented body lotions that I'd been using for years without a problem..  Just absent-mindedly scratching it was enough to create huge welts.  Certainly, follow this up with a dermatologist. 

Chrisesta67

Thank you, SelenaWolf. I can appreciate how having radiation can leave a lasting impression on skin, in general. I have an appt with a dermatologist the day after tomorrow. I'm very curious to find out what this reaction is. If it's interesting (and not too embarrassing), I'll share more about it in this community. 

Laroma10

Hello Chriseta, I have got the same problem here, you sound like me, I had 33 radiation treatments and finished them by the end of Oct. 2013, everything was good until 3 days ago, when a skin rash occurred on the radiated area on my breast, and today it spread to the outside area, like on the half of my other breast and my upper chest, also I noticed some rash on my arms and legs. I talked to my RO this morning and she said that the rash outside radiation treated area is not common, she suggested I take an antialergic medication like Benadryl.

the treated breast is red and itchy and so it is the rash a got on legs and arms, if it does not improve soon I will go see my RO/dermatologist.

my instinct tells me that this is a radiation reaction of my body, but I have to look after ....

Hope you will get better,

Chrisesta67

Hi, Laroma10. Yesterday, I had an appt with a dermatologist, who diagnosed a follicular dermatitis. She couldn't really pinpoint the cause.... but said that my skin, which is I know is a bit sensitive to begin with, is probably reacting in general to the chemo, radiation, and the psychological stress beought on by those physical procedures. She prescribed a steroid cream, whixh I'll apply twice a day for two weeks. She said it didn't seem terribly serious and should clear up with the cream. 

I hope your RO and dermatologiat will be able to diagnose your skin reaction and you'll be able to clear it up soon. I've been very fortunate to have made connections with a terrific and compassionate healthcare team. Even when there aren't always definitive answers, the consistently thoughtful care I've received has been very reassuring. I wish the same for you.

Laroma10

Hi Chrisesta, Yesterday I saw My RO, she said the skin on my treated breast looks absolutely normal and that is the skin reaction she wanted to see on my breast, but outside of the treated area she has not seen many patients with this reaction and she concluded that the rads could have triggered that skin rash which all over my body now. The rads are at their pick after 2 weeks after the treatment so I think this is the case, I did not have chemo…. I am taking baths with colloidal oatmeal and baking soda hoping this works.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

I tried some anti-itching lotions over the counter but that made it worse for me…. waiting to get better. I will keep you posted.

Laroma10

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Hi Chrisesta, Yesterday I saw My RO, she said the skin on my treated breast looks absolutely normal and that is the skin reaction she wanted to see on my breast, but outside of the treated area she has not seen many patients with this reaction and she concluded that the rads could have triggered that skin rash which all over my body now. The rads are at their pick after 2 weeks after the treatment so I think this is the case, I did not have chemo…. I am taking baths with colloidal oatmeal and baking soda hoping this works.

I tried some anti-itching lotions over the counter but that made it worse for me…. waiting to get better. I will keep you posted.