Rashes and Other Skin Issues From Chemo

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Elderberry
Elderberry Member Posts: 993

I am about 10 days from my first round of THP. About two days ago noticed little pink bumps appearing on my forehead, just small dots. They aren't itchy or sore. I've never had hives so I wouldn't know what they look like. Should I see my GP or wait until I see my MO May 15th? I have such clear skin --- normally. Bummer.

I hope I don't get cut off from TX that seems to be working. Maybe a reduced dosage?

I appreciate your experience with your treatment being shared.


Comments

  • Lauriesh
    Lauriesh Member Posts: 692
    edited May 2019

    perjeta can cause acne, rash, whatever you want to call it. You can wait until you see your onc. This shouldn't be enough to have to reduce the dose. Also, side effects can be cumulative. So, after your next dose, you may have side effects that you didn't have with earlier rounds and that is normal.

    Hopefully, it will get rid of your liver mets. I have been Ned for 8 years after T & hfor my liver mets.

    Good luck!

  • Elderberry
    Elderberry Member Posts: 993
    edited May 2019

    YAY on your 8 years. I am a tad obsessive about stuff having had my Stage IV such a short while ago --- even though it feels like a lifetime. So every twinge gets blown up into something big.

    Cheers and thanks for replying.

  • LoriCA
    LoriCA Member Posts: 923
    edited May 2019

    Herceptin and Perjeta both can cause a rash on the face and upper body. Mine was very mild on my forehead, just a few spots that didn't itch, and it stopped occurring after a few months on H&P. I still get intense itching on my upper arms that drives me nuts,especially when I'm trying to sleep. There's no visible rash on my arms, but many women here have problems with upper arm itching while on H&P so it definitely seems related.Topical benadryl helps with the itching.

    I figure that as far as SEs go, as long as it's just a mild rash it's a small price to pay for the benefit of H&P. If your rash is really bad, some women drop Perjeta and only do Herceptin. You could always try that and see if it's the one causing the rash, but there's strong likelihood that Herceptin is causing it. If it's mild, try waiting it out and you might stop having that reaction like I did.

  • Elderberry
    Elderberry Member Posts: 993
    edited May 2019

    LoriCa: It is almost like very small measles dots ...only just above the bridge of my nose inner eyebrows. And - yes - a small price to pay if it is an indication of chemo working.

    Hope you are feeling well today.

  • LoriCA
    LoriCA Member Posts: 923
    edited May 2019

    It's a common reaction Elderberry and definitely not hives - although if you think it looks like measles, with the current epidemic in the US you would want to get it checked if it starts spreading over your body and you've been in contact with anyone who has traveled here. Anytime I've had hives in the past it's been large raised areas (quarter size and larger) and incredibly itchy, like super-sized mosquito bites. Yours sounds like the typical rash from HER2-targeted drugs, mine was just small red dots too but sometimes it looks like acne, and the forehead is one of common locations for it. If it's not itching and causing you distress, I wouldn't worry unless it covers a large area of your body or itches enough to drive you crazy. It might clear up in a few days, and then show up again after your next infusion.

    You'll probably get a drippy nose that never stops too. Take out stock in Kleenex now haha!

  • Elderberry
    Elderberry Member Posts: 993
    edited May 2019

    I had the whole measles, mumps, chicken pox in my childhood. I am immune. Thank the Lord for small mercies. It is not bothering me other than "not all that awful" red dots.

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited May 2019

    Elderberry, I had a bad breakout this time last year and get them on my belly after almost every infusion but it’s tolerable. The skin and melanoma group at my cancer center confirmed it just SE’s, likely from Perjeta. I was also told that this can be a sign of treatment working well on the epidermal part of HER2.

    image


  • Elderberry
    Elderberry Member Posts: 993
    edited May 2019

    illimae: Hi! Mine are just a bunch of little dots just on my forehead. I am okay with that, even if I was a tad concerned. Thanks for replying. Wish you the best!!

  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited May 2019

    Elderberry,

    Are they little red dots? Like this: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320597.p...

    The images show advanced presentation. I get them when my platelets are low.

    Take care,

    Jennifer

  • Elderberry
    Elderberry Member Posts: 993
    edited May 2019

    Holy Moly!!! No - nothing like that at all. But then...certainly not "advanced' Not even as bad as the first image. They have not worsened over the past days, perhaps improved a titch. Platelets low? Possible, even likely. A reaction to Perjeta or the others? Blood work next week, meet the MO next day. If they worsen in the interim I'll seek medical advice. I hope yours NEVER looked like those!

    You take care as well!!


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