Constant itching on upper back following bilateral mastectomy

Sunny719

It has been several years since the double mastectomy was performed. I needed no chemo or radiation as the cancer was found in such an early stage. My recovery was fast. I did go through a time when I felt sunburned. Then as I healed, I developed an area on my upper back that began to itch. Now, years later, it itches so badly that it seems to be getting worse. My doctor offered a cream which did no good. The itching seems to be under the skin, and I wonder if it could be due to some nerve damage. I do have a number of spots that have no feeling. I know that compared to what many of you a going through, this is minor. But has anyone experienced the same or have any thoughts?

rockymountaingirl

The simple answer, I think, is that damaged nerves can cause all sorts of odd feelings, so yes, it makes sense that damage to a nerve somewhere could cause an itching sensation. I have neuropathy in my feet and lower legs as a result of chemotherapy, and once in a while I have an itch on the bottom of my right foot that is not relieved even for an instant by scratching or rubbing the itchy place. Just as you described your itch, mine feels like it is under the skin rather than in the skin. Circumstantial evidence -- I never had such an itch before developing neuropathy, and now I do -- suggests that in my case, the itching sensation may be caused by a damaged nerve doing its thing. Whatever is causing it, it is maddening! Fortunately, it doesn't happen very often.

The fact that you have some spots with no feeling, as well as this strange itch, does suggest that you may have some nerve damage. Have you been evaluated by a neurologist?

Sunny719

No---never evaluated. Perhaps I should do a bit more discussing with my nurse practitioner.

MinusTwo

How old are you? As we age, and specifically if we had sun damage, the skin can easily itch like mad. Make an appointment with a dermatologist. I see mine every 6 months and she's constantly coming up with new things to try to help the itching.

In the mean time, if Benadryl doesn't bother you, you might want to ask if you could try that. However you have to have a medicine load in your system so one or two pills probably won't do it.

And yes, an evaluation by a neurologist is a possibility. Did you have flap surgery? It's odd that the itching is on your back.