Weird Skin Reaction Post-Radiation

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Jo_Ann_K
Jo_Ann_K Member Posts: 277
edited February 2018 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I went to the radiation oncologist for my 6 week post-radiation checkup hoping that he would have an answer for this weird skin reaction over the left side of my breast, where the boosts took place, since radiation was completed. The surface of the skin has round red irritations, some appearing with pimple liked raised areas, and some with dry skin that is flaking off. I use lotion on the at least twice a day since starting radiation so dry skin is absurd.

Anyway, the radiologist said he's never ever seen that reaction. Told me to f/u with a dermatologist in six week if it doesn't resolve, but it keeps bubbling up everyday with new sites. Has anyone else had this experience?  If so, what did you do to resolve?

Thanks,

Jo Ann

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Comments

  • desdemona222b
    desdemona222b Member Posts: 776
    edited February 2009

    Jo Ann -

    The dry skin is from the radiation therapy and you can't completely prevent it with creams.  As far as the pimple-like lesions, I have no idea what that could be from.  I hope you get to feeling better soon. 

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2009

    i'd stop using the cream..

    i had some pimply things but they were on my back.. behind the shooting rays and they resolved.

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  • Lories
    Lories Member Posts: 351
    edited February 2009

    Hi Joann, I would not wait to see a dermatologist, I would go to one now. 

    I actually see a Physician's Assistant, who does skin stuff (almost a dermatologist) but he is amazing at figuring odd skin reactions out.  I have had wierd stuff from soap from surgery, from drugs during a colonscopy and also a wierd outbreak on my face that was from lack of hormones (my general physician was trying to give me face creams).

    Every odd thing I have ever had he knew exactly what it was.  If you do not have a dermatologist, ask around for ideas or get a referral.  It could be something simple that he can give you something for, but if it is getting larger, it is harder to get rid of as it sounds like it is spreading not going away.

    Best of luck.  Lori

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  • Jo_Ann_K
    Jo_Ann_K Member Posts: 277
    edited February 2009

    I'm scheduled to see the dermatologist today. Just as well as the skin reaction has spread to other places on the radiated breast. I'll let y'all know what it is...so others can learn if they are having similar experiences.

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  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited February 2009

    Hi...

    Ohhhhhhh...... I got a bad rash on my breast about 2 weeks after radiation.... It looked like tiny goosebumps all over...and was really itchy......

    Rads Onc told me it was very common, and gave me some type of cream (sorry can't remember) that took all of the itchiness away.... after about a week, it was gone.

    Hugs Kosh

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  • Jo_Ann_K
    Jo_Ann_K Member Posts: 277
    edited February 2009

    Hi Everyone!

    The rad oncologist had never seen this kind of rash is the many years he has been practicing, so I went to the dermatologist.  The dermatologist I chose did his residency at Johns Hopkins, and after having worked there for a while, I know that they see WEIRD things there.  Anyway, the dermatologist said he wasn't quite sure either. He had never seen this reaction before either. He took a small sample from one of the weird spots and looked at it under a microscope thinking it could be a fungus.  Apparently, it's not uncommon to develop fungus after skin damage, but it wasn't that.

    So, he's treating it like a folliculitis for now - with topical antibiotic and steroids, and in two weeks if there is no improvement, he'll take a biopsy and we'll go from there.  I was surprised to think I could get a folliculitis from that, but he said radiation does serious skin damage and almost anything is possible.  I'll continue to keep you posted as this mysterious skin thing spreads.

    One thing I'll say for myself. I never have a normal response to anything. I always have to do it up big...sigh

    So

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  • Jo_Ann_K
    Jo_Ann_K Member Posts: 277
    edited February 2009

    One more thing...I am a super clean person so the term folliculitis weirded me out, cause that implies the skin is infected with something. 

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  • Cheryl60
    Cheryl60 Member Posts: 46
    edited February 2009

    Six weeks after i completed rads, my breast all of sudden got swollen again, red, warm and hurtful.  The surgeon thought it was mastitis and/or se of radiation.  Was put on 3 different antibiotics for 4 weeks...but they didnt seem to do much.  Now he's suggesting that I see the rad oncologist to see what his opinion is....which i have an appt today.  So we'll see IF anyone can tell me what this is.  Would be NICE to have a definate dx.   Has anyone else experienced this post-rads???

    Cheryl

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  • pk0199
    pk0199 Member Posts: 586
    edited February 2009

    Folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicles, a typical se from radiation. Still worth having the MD look at though.

    A lot of the radiation se's will come out 2-3 weeks post radiation. If you are unsure though, do go and see your doc, that is what they are there for.

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  • Jo_Ann_K
    Jo_Ann_K Member Posts: 277
    edited February 2009

    pk0199,

    I wouldn't have bothered if the rash had gone away, but it has spread to more of the radiated area. So now I'm putting Cleocin liquid on it followed by a mild steroid.  I'm hoping it disappears before the next dermatologist visit.

    Jo Ann

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  • bomber410
    bomber410 Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2009

    I have a dry, itchy patch of skin on my radiated boob.  It didn't become a problem until several months post radiation.  I read somewhere on this site that it is likely caused by either laundry detergent or dryer sheets.  Radiation has made the skin very sensitive so we have to be watchful of what we put next to the skin.  If the clothing carries residue from scented detergent or the dryer sheets, it could cause a reaction.  Just a thought.

    Debbie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2012

    did it go away?  how did it get treated?  i finished radiation treatments Nov 30, 2011 - i had normal side effects I think and nothing too terrible.  At the end of December the backs of my hands started getting really itchy then red itchy pimply things started coming out on my hands and started going up my arms.  3 weeks later yellow fluid started coming out of my ariole - my dr said it was an infection and put me on oral antibiotics.  2 weeks later (2 months after finishing treatment) my ariole is still irritated a little and i have red really itchy pimply things all over the fleshy part of my breast.  My doctor now says its post radiation irritation and its common.  She did give me miracle steroid cream for my hands that has taken most of the itch away and said to do saliene soaks on my breast and use fuciden on the ariole and nipple.

    Anybody got any advice?

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  • marilyn113
    marilyn113 Member Posts: 118
    edited February 2012

    Two weeks after I completed radiation (9 days ago), I got a very itchy, red, bumpy rash on my stomach below the radiated breast.  It spread to the other side of my stomach, then the inside of my arms and my chest.  Oddly, hardly any of it is on my breasts.  My dermatologist wasn't sure what it was either and gave me some steroid cream (two days ago).  She called it "radiation induced inflammatory rash".  I sure hope it goes away soon!

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2012

    about 3-4 months after i finished rads and right after a 14 hour flight overseas, I developed red circles that came and when and started small then grew larger.  My breast was also hot and sore.  My RO and MO had no idea what it was.  I learned through google it is in all likelihood truncal/breast lymphendema.  It had gone away recently until I was on another long flight last week and it is back.

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2012

    P.S.  Mine are not raised.  This was directed more at cheryl.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2012

    OK, my problems started a few days after i returned from Jamaica, never even thought of the flight.  The raised stuff is subsiding with the cream and saliene soaks but its all still uncomfortable and soar,  I saw my surgeon yesterday - she is sending me for an ultrasound.  Sounds like i'm not the only one with weird reactions.

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  • anotherfloridian
    anotherfloridian Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2015

    koshka1

    Can you please try to remember or even call your doctor to see what that cream was? I have tried so many things and nothing is working and the itching is driving me crazy.

    thanks,

    Jane

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  • LindaSuz
    LindaSuz Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2018

    I am going through this now. It is so itchy and is spreading like poison ivy---they are raided, round pimple like thing that weep and ooze. I was told to use hydrocortisone, but learned that it contains estrogen and I test positive for estrogen and progesterone. Nice doc. May try aloe tomorrow as I am going crazy.

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