Port - skin rash

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mobky
mobky Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hello, I started Chemo on 1/15/13 and I had a port put in on 1/11/13.  The first chemo and the week later, they accessed the port without any problems.  Last week, I noticed skin rash around the port.  It has been itchy and it does not seem to go away.  I am hoping it is nothing but does anyone have/had issues with port and itchy skin around the area?  I applied the cortizone creme and did not do anything.  I am hoping that they could still use it for my next chemo.  Any advices anyone has would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited February 2013

    I have a couple thoughts:

    1. My skin started reacting to bandaids after I started chemo. Have you  had a bandaid over it?

    2. Could be infection brewing. Just to be safe you might want to call either your oncologist, or the surgeon that put the port in, and have them check it.

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited February 2013

    I had a raging contact dermatitis over my port after maybe my 3rd infusion.  It wasn't after my first - the thing had been used a lot before I had my reaction.  I'm sensitive to some adhesives, and figuring that out is just trial and error.  We couldn't figure out what it was from.  The infusion room used only one type of bandage over the ports while they were accessed, and when I was retested with that product I did OK. 

    I know I used a topical steroid, a little stronger than hydrocortisone, and that I cut out contact of that skin with anything that wasn't absolutely necessary.  

    Do you a way to get someone in your onc's office to look at it?  I agree with the PP that would be sensible.  

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  • mobky
    mobky Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2013

    Christina/Outfield,

    Thank you for your reply.  I did not have any bandaid over it and it is just around the port area.  I talked to my oncologist and she thought to wait and see.  They were able to use it for chemo last week. It has been more than two weeks and it seems to be drying out.  I am just hoping that I don't have some reactions to the port device itself.  I will keep eyes on them, though.  The crazy thing...

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  • simplelife4real
    simplelife4real Member Posts: 563
    edited December 2013

    I have the same type rash.  I'm pretty sure it's from the adhesives from when they access the port.

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  • pebee
    pebee Member Posts: 317
    edited December 2013

    OR the plastic in the needle.  I had it too.  I was reacting to the plastic part that looks like an oval which holds the needle in place.

    The solution was a longer needle and they slipped a split gauze pad underneath it when I got the transfusions.  They can give you a cream to keep it from itching.

    Have the nurses play around and take pictures with a camera when you are tapped and then when the rash shows up.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2013

    I got a prescription for a cream called Triamcinolone 0.25%. That is what did the trick for me.

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