Rash With Burning and Itching

Hi Honey.Congatulations, you're almost done!

but,  Please call your dr and discuss the rash. Anytime you have a rash with chemo the doc needs to know. I am sure you'll be fine., but please call him

I had a horrible rash that started after my 3rd taxotere/cytoxan infusion.  It lasted for 3 months!  It was horrible...burning, itching skin.  I did not have blisters though.  I was treated repeatedly with steroids.  My med onc seemed to say it was some type of skin issue and told me to see a dermatologist.  My internist tried to treat me and I saw a derm...she said it was from the chemo.  I got passed around for weeks and I was really uncomfortable.   I took antihistamines, used steroids, used topical steroids, and found temporary relief from some menthol type lotion my derm recommended.    I hope it clears up for you soon.  Taxotere has known skin rash issues.  I just wish my med onc and doctors could have helped me more.  I itched so bad I had bruises all over and was bleeding in some areas.  My skin was on fire and I had bumps everywhere.  I wish I could offer more advice as I know all too well how miserable you probably are. 

Hi ALK.

I was er pr negative and HER pos.

I understand  your worry about getting your last Infusion.  Sometimes patients can not finish their tx due to Side Effects. However I would explain to your Onc   your worries, and let him advise you of the risk versus benefit.

Good Luck!

Hello Alk.

I, too, have broken out with an itchy, blotchy type rash.  I am so uncomfortable right now!  This rash has just now appeared about a week after my 5th treatment.  I only have one more to go!  I am seriously considering calling the onc's office tomorrow to at least let them know what is happening.  I don't know what they can or will do but I am miserable!  I have my last treatment on December 22 and I hope that all my SE's will disappear after my body figures out I am not having any more treatments!  A girl can hope!  LOL!  At any rate, if you find something that relieves the itching, please share it with us.

Thanks and hugs to you!

Hi Guys, (this is for ALK too)

I have just completed my last 4 treatment cycles of taxol and taxotere in early Nov.  I began the herceptin chemo during those as well.  Since my last taxotere tx (I was switched to taxotere after only 1 tx of taxol as I developed nuerapathy in hands and feet) I began the herceptin tx's on their own. This is when I noticed a rash that began on my right lower arm.  It spread to my upper arm and shoulder and now after completing my 2nd herceptin chemo it has worsend and is now on both arms and shoulders.  It flares up mostly at night causing major itching and burning.  I am not sure if it is related to the plethera of hot flashes I get.  Both seem to become most overwhelming at night when my day ends and I finally go to sit and relax whih is around 9pm or so.  I too have been to see just about everyone to seek treatment for it as it is causing so much disfunction in my daily activities.  AS IF ALL THE OTHER ITEMS I HAVE ARENT BAD ENUFF!  ya know?  Anyway.....here are some things I have tried...lyrica (nerve blocker), cortizone cream 10 extra strength, ice packs, and my most recent is Dermaplast (usesd commonly for wounds or sunburns).  Out of everything i listed?  I think the lyrica if taken regularly which is 4 times a day at 50mgs coupled with applications as need of the dermaplast seem to work best.  The dermaplast is an immediate relief however it requires frequent applications throughout the day (but who cares as long as your night suffering with rash).  I have an appointment after the holidays to see a dermatologist but am not anticipating much help to come from them as I am sure they will say the standard "it's from your chemo".  Well no shit?  Really????  Would love someone to prescribe something that will knock it out.  I have small chicken pox type blisters or bumps all up and down my arms with new ones forming just under the surface of my skin which I can feel if i run my fingers lightly over my skin between the ones which already have scabbed over.  That is my 2 cents on the subject.  I wish I could say that it ends with the taxotere but it seems to me that it is the herceptin chemo that might be perp.  I also have swelling in my legs, hands and feet.  This also started when my taxotere ended and my herceptin began in tx by itself.  So i feel that my side effects basically began after reg chemo treatments ended and herceptin was administered by itself.  I will not be done with the Herceptin until August like bluecowgirl.  I took effexor too for the hot flashes and have since hopped off that after a month because I felt it was making my rashes flare up worse at night.  No peace for the wicked!  Its amazing to me that our oncologists are unable to help us since most of the treatments to breast cancer with or without a positive diagnosis of HER2 people seems to be "cook book"!

Hi Patrithia,

 I hope you are doing alright with your rashes.  I have the same thing and I feel the same way.  That it is too overwhelming! Harder than chemo regimen side effects I think personally?  I would rather go through the typical "crash" period following harder chemo then deal with this pesty rash.  I am going to my PCP on Friday after work and radiation to obtain some topical ointments & creams to try.  I was put on a 6 day prednisone pack and that worked well but was over when it was over.  I will pick up another one of those too just to take a break from the pain even though I am certain taking all of these things cannot be good for us.  I have since been back to see my ONC and she has temporarily pulled me off the Herceptin for the next 6 weeks just to allow my body a chance to reset itself.  I am hoping that is enough time to allow for that.  It seems to me that the hot flashes that I get at night are what throw my arms into a burning itching flare up.  I think it forces the chemicals through the poors in my skin and creates the irritation.  Call me crazy?  Because my hot flashes are more worse on some days than others, i've also noticed that on the days where the hot flashes are not out of control? My arms tend to just "idle" and are not as painful but still i know it's there.  Once the hot flashes key up is when the itchinng and burning begin all over again and here is when I find myself feeling as if I have made no progress.  I wish there was someone here who had an answer as to what meds work? My hands and wrists were buring the entire time I was typing this reply and I have ice packs at my desk.  I feel and look like a dork to those around me I am sure!  If i come across anything that helps me over the weekend I will let you know.  Until then I am thinking of you.  I know it hurts!

could it be hives?  That's what happened to me during my chemo (Taxotere and Cytoxin)--all over my chest and groin, even down on my thighs.  Miserable.  Benadryl really helped...ellen

Thank you for the helpful information.  I will try those out and see.  At this point I have tried everything and so what's a few more right?  I also don't have much of a visible rash but agree that the discomfort is due to the sweat from "hot flashing".  I think it pushes the chemicals up through the pores and that's that!  I take quick showers too but not soon after I am back in the heap of it all.  I will print what you wrote and take it to my pcp and ask for these 2 things and will hope for the best.  Thank you so much for taking the time to respond - I hope it works,  I need to get some sleep as I am completely exhuasted from trying to manage it all.  Thanks guys

Thank you so much for this information.  I finished my taxol/herceptin on Nov. 17; I still have the rash (it got worse after completion of chemo due to no premeds).  I may try xyzal (did you try steriods)?  I was on a 6/12/6/12 pack and hated the side effects (even though it helped the rash).  Did the doctors talk to you about the "half life" of taxol?  Thanks for your post.  Patricia

Hello Zelda,

Thank you for sharing your experiences.  My rash seems to be getting worse, everyday a new breakout in new places.....not sleeping good at night, spend most days managing the rash (soaking in tub, creams, medicines).  Nothing is doing the trick and my doctors are stumped (which doesn't help me at all).  I have had this rash for 5 months but it got really bad 2 months ago (after chemo was finished).  I think that the pre-meds during chemo helped keep the rash calm. Now that I'm not getting chemo the rash is out of control.  I am hoping that the taxol will be out of my system in another month.  Until that time, I'm continuing with radiation and not having herceptin until this rash clears up.  The rash could be from Taxol or Herceptin as I had the two together.  I'm leaning toward Taxol.  How long did your rash last?  Are you finished with chemo?  Thanks again for the help, I appreciate it.  Patricia 

Skmarm, 

 I did get a prescription for xyzal and it did nothing for me?  I'm taking two different antihistamines (and I have to take it every two to three hours or the itching is out of control).  Dr.s think I should just wait it out (until the taxol is out of my system); however, the rash could be from herceptin?  My doctor does not want to start me on herceptin due to this awful rash.   I sure wish I could get to the bottom of this rash...it's really exhausting and very frustrating.  Thank you for sharing your experience with me.  I wish you the best!  Patricia

I started getting the pimple like rash 4 to 6 days after first treatment. The burning itch was unbearable. I had it under breast area, groin and scalp. Its been a hot summer and these are the areas I sweat. Help line said it was unusual to get it this early to have family Dr check it out. He said it was infected and gave me Fucidin antibiotic cream. Felt extremely better after an hour from applying it. It's expensive around $30. Not sure if polypsorin would work. Doesn't seem to help pimples on face and neck but those don't burn like the others do. Hope this helps someone.