Still dealing with itchiness after treatments

Clarebat

I have been dealing with IBC for over a year. I still suffer from extreme itchiness. I have had chemo, a double mastectomy, and radiation. My biggest challenge now is extreme itchiness. Does anyone have suggestions? Might a dermatologist be able to help me? I would appreciate any suggestions you might have.

Moderators

Dear Clarebat,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry about your breast cancer but glad that you reached out to our community with questions. We hope that you will find support and information here. It is not clear from what you state if the itchiness has been prolonged since diagnosis or started after chemo, your surgery, or radiation therapy. Here is a link to one member's question about itchiness after mastectomy and reconstruction. We are not sure if this matches your experience or not. Perhaps consultation with a member of your treatment team would help. Keep us posted. Let us know how we can help you to navigate the boards. The Mods

Tressy

if your itchyness is due to radiation, try Calendula oil or cream. I was part of a study using Calendula with radiation to lessen symptoms and the docs where amazed at the results. I still use it now for akl kinds of things. That and coconut oil. It may not stop the itching immediately but will def help to speed healing! Good luck!

Tressy

if your itchyness is due to radiation, try Calendula oil or cream. I was part of a study using Calendula with radiation to lessen symptoms and the docs where amazed at the results. I still use it now for akl kinds of things. That and coconut oil. It may not stop the itching immediately but will def help to speed healing! Good luck!

1214Survivor

Dealing with itchiness (for about a month) post bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. I feel the sensation of bugs on my skin, on any exposed area, especially arms and legs. I saw a response that it could be the nerves and would go away with time but what can be used in the mean time? I've fogged my apartment, spray Off on, light citronella candles and even sleep in a mosquito net. It is driving me nuts! I just e-mailed my oncology nurse to ask my doc. 

MsSherman

Hi, I too find dealing with the itchiness quite problematic both physically and emotionally. Yes, I know if I had a wound and it was healing I might feel near the end Of healing some itchiness this is a good thing.

However, w/IBC the itchiness (which seems to comes internally and radiates outward and is WORSE at night), it seems to happen when my cancer is active (not where there's nodules but near by in lymph vessels), the same areas that heat up. Also should I lose control and scratch, there is a satisfaction but it's so temporary and it exacerbates the itchiness all over. So I use Calendula ointment, and take a Hyroxinr (a prescription drug like Benedryl before bed, and when've needed 1/2 a sleeping pill. This seems to help. Also I try to be mindful of the time and fallback asleep before it becomes too active (kind of like managing pain).

Also recently, I started a new chemo cocktail of Carboplatin and Gemzacitabine, and Ibroke out in a rash from theGemza which itched pretty badly, but Hydroxine helped, and now I make sure to get a dose of steroid (Dexamethosone) in my IV w/chemo. Please share if you have other ideas!

Ihope this helps!