Chemo acne?!

Karc80

Hello all!  I just had my first of four rounds of chemo (C/T) combo.  I have the usual side effects but nothing to severe.  Fingers crossed it stays that way.  What is the WORST so far... Acne!   They warned me about dry sensitive skin but I went the complete opposite.  I'm completely broken out and very oily.  We're not talking 2 pimples here.  Full coverage, head, face, neck, chest.  I look like a 16 year old boy.  It doesn't itch.  I called my onco he prescribed topical metro gel.  Not helping.  The kicker?  I'm a makeup artist.  Thankfully I'm off work right now for chemo but I wanted to go back soon.  Anybody experience this?  I've tried all of my usual tricks but it is to much to cover especially the body.  Wondering if it was from the 3 days of dexamethasone steroid I took before and post chemo?  This morning my 3 year old asked me why I had so many "polka spots".   Lol 

SpecialK

Steroids with chemo very commonly cause acne, but some have it from the chemo itself. You might ask your MO for a short course of oral antibiotic, as well as topical., or ask for a referral to the dermatologist.

jenjenl

I have no advise other than the same exact thing happened to me.  Once i finished and the chemo was flushed out of my body my skin got better in a few months.  Now my skin is amazing but i think that's bc of my hysterectomy.

Lakegirl1

Same here...the steroids really do a number in your skin!!!  My MO gave me an Rx for Cleocin T...acne med. it works really well. I have been using it every day.

Scoobycat

KARC80 - I developed terrible acne about 10 days after my first big round (TCH-P) of chemo. It was all over my face -- big puss-filled pimples. My nose swelled up like a clown! I contacted my nurse navigator who told me it wasn't acne but folliculitis (SP?) related to the chemo. You can't treat it like acne or it will get worse. I immediately called my ONC's office and they prescribed Keflex which cleared it up. I also took the opportunity to switch up my skincare regimen and now use Kiehl's skincare products with are very gentle. By the way -- not only was it on my face, but my scalp as well!

Guess what? It came back after treatments 2 and 3 exactly 10 days after so now my ONC has me on low dose Doxycycline and so far so good! Anyway -- they THINK it's caused by the Taxotere but to be honest my nurses said they haven't seen it very often. I have treatment #4 (of 6) tomorrow but am confident that the Doxycycline will keep this under control.

Hope this helps!

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Sorry you have had those SEs of Foliculitis but glad it cleared up.

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