Possible Erbirash cure

rthornton
rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
It's now been two weeks and a day since I had my last Erbitux infusion. The rash is still there, but I saw my PCP today and she thinks it is healing and will soon be gone. Then she came up with a theory that the rash is fungal in nature and maybe an anti-fungal medication would help. She suggested Lotrimin. So, on the way home I stopped by Kroger and found some Lotrimin, which happens to be a medication for jockitch. I went to the pharmacist's counter to ask a question and pay for the Lotrimin. I know my pharmacist pretty well, and when she saw the Lotrimin she said in a kind of sardonic way "having a little itching problem, Rodney?" "No!" I exclaimed, "it's for my face." Not wanting her to wonder how I might have gotten jock itch on my face, I quickly explained my PCP's theory about the Erbirash and how an antifungal MIGHT help with the problem. The pharmacist concurred, but the problem is that I'm not technically getting Erbitux right now so I'm not really a good lab-rat to test the theory. Has anyone heard about using antifungals to combat Erbirash? If it works, I will definitely try it when I resume Erbitux in June.

Rodney

Comments

  • dash4
    dash4 Member Posts: 303 Member
    Hi ,
    My husband has tried lots of lotions and meds for his rash-his rash has been so severe he has run a fever from it and has had to stop the erbitux. The medicine that has made a difference and controls the rash and he can actually stay on the erbitux is an antibiotic--keflex--the biopsy of my husband's rash showed lots of staph and keflex will kill staph. The dermatologist he is seeing thinks it is a proriasis based rash. She has given him meds for that but not sure if it is really helping. It would be interesting if the lotrimin works for you - please let me know. It is so hard when you are off the erbitux cause not sure why it is clearing up. A few things we thought were wotking were not once the erbitux started up again. good luck
    dash
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    Hi rodney - I have no idea about the rash. I just wanted to tell you that I tried calling you tonight, but no machine picked up. I wonder if I have the correct number.

    Just wanted you to know I am thinking about you and appreciate your friendship VERY much!!

    When is your trip? I hope the rash clears up before you travels start.

    jana
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    Oh my goodness, Rodney...but I am just cracking up thinking about you at the counter...going : "No, it isn't for jock itch on my face; no really, it's the chemo". Sorry, I know I have a warped sense of humor...
    The bottom line is that I hope it helps. My sister -in-law was on Erbitux and the rash was very hard on her as well....sort of like blisters on her cheeks. The sun seemed to make it worse - although i might think that a bit of Vit D is helpful. Anyway, I hope it helps...and you made me laugh at our goofy happenings associated with cancer...and that insn't such a bad thing. Take care - Maura (I also might try anything with Shea Butter....a really calming and moisturizing additive to creams and lotions.)
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    Rodney -

    Soooo... jock itch on the face, eh? I could have so much fun with that, but Jose would probably ban me for life...!

    Cool thought your PCP had - I really hope it clears your rash up!

    Cheers, my friend

    - Bob
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    spongebob said:

    Rodney -

    Soooo... jock itch on the face, eh? I could have so much fun with that, but Jose would probably ban me for life...!

    Cool thought your PCP had - I really hope it clears your rash up!

    Cheers, my friend

    - Bob

    It was like a scene from Curb Your Enthusiasm. You have to understand that my loyalty to this pharmacist has something to do with her being very pretty, me being a very weak male, and also she really is very good at her work. So I bring a tube of Lotrimin to the counter and, to avoid any perceived stigma associated with jock itch, quickly explain that it's really for my face, and then think "oh, that was reeeaaaal smooth, yeah, it's for my face, that's just great Rodney, just great ..." Fortunately, her sense of humor is enough like mine that she quietly said "don't worry, I'm very good about keeping patient confidentiality." So, I had to explain the anti-fungal theory for the rash.

    I'm one day into Lotrimin therapy for the rash, and I can see no difference yet. But it's ONLY been one day ....
  • pink05
    pink05 Member Posts: 550
    Hi Rodney,

    I am not too familiar with Erbitux and the rashes that go along with it, but that would be great if the lotrimin worked! You may be on to something. Let us know how it goes. By the way, I've heard of Lotrimin before, but had no idea that it's used for jockitch!

    -Lee-
  • tkd3g
    tkd3g Member Posts: 767
    rthornton said:

    It was like a scene from Curb Your Enthusiasm. You have to understand that my loyalty to this pharmacist has something to do with her being very pretty, me being a very weak male, and also she really is very good at her work. So I bring a tube of Lotrimin to the counter and, to avoid any perceived stigma associated with jock itch, quickly explain that it's really for my face, and then think "oh, that was reeeaaaal smooth, yeah, it's for my face, that's just great Rodney, just great ..." Fortunately, her sense of humor is enough like mine that she quietly said "don't worry, I'm very good about keeping patient confidentiality." So, I had to explain the anti-fungal theory for the rash.

    I'm one day into Lotrimin therapy for the rash, and I can see no difference yet. But it's ONLY been one day ....

    Hey Rodney.

    Just thought I'd throw this at you: my daughter was very susceptible to (sorry) vaginal rashes when she was a bit younger. My doc recommended Lotrimin, too. I was hesitant because it was marketed as an athlete's foot remedy.

    It worked great.

    Best of luck with it.

    Barb
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    Hi Rodney,
    I won't make any jock itch face jokes only because I can't think of any new ones ;-)
    I am currently on Erbitux but have been off of it for about 3 weeks because I just had to have some tumors surgically removed from my lung. The Erbitux did get rid of 8 or the 9 tumors in there. I had the rash bad on my face at first, but it lessened after a few months. Now that I'm off it for a few weeks, things cleared up even more. I guess we are all different but I do hear that it goes away when the treatment stops.
    (maybe it is only jock itch?)
    -phil