Itchy Itchy Itchy

margz35 said:

Cindy - you are funny!
Yes, itchy palms do mean you are coming into money and at the rate I am going I have won lotto!
I have a call into my oncologist's office (2 hours ago) and am awaiting the advice nurses call back. I will pop out and get some Aveeno at lunchtime and hopefully can get Benadryl too. I have seen gals talk about Claritin on the boards but I take Zyrtec for seasonal allergies. I wonder if I can mix the too? Anothe question for the nurse right?
Thanks again for the giggle!
Margz

margz35 said:

Thanks Teena
I will mention that when the advice nurse calls. Fortunately it is only the underside of my hands.
Margz

VCJM_56 said:

itchy
I just took 12th Taxol Carbo treatment this past Fri. Two weeks off then I start the next treatment which I am dreading

Anyway, re: itching. I was reacting to the anti nausea meds. Turned out i was allergic. You are fortunate it has only bothered your palms. I was literally on the verge of mentally losing it because everywhere, including places that should never ever itch were itching so bad I couldn't sleep. Until it was finally corrected by my Oncology team, I found that yes the Benedryly capsules helped and I used those circular flat cotton pads used to remove makeup, and Ambesol Ultra worked wonders to immediately stop the agony in those delicate places. At first they suggested a yeast infection (which it wasn't)not until I threatened to quit Chemo entirely were the anti nausea meds changed.

Are you ok yet/ if so , what worked for you?

VickiSam said:

Just a thought ... if you have any
caladryl (poison ivy - pink lotion) I would try that ... I used this for the bottom of my feet when I had blood blisters and Itch's during and after chemo therapy. It worked for me .. and I slather this lotion on every day for months ...

Hoping you find relief - soon. Ugh ..

Strength and Courage,

Vicki Sam

Double Whammy said:

The palm on my right hand turned red the very first time I had Taxotere and Cytoxin. I thought my hand was infected because I had some nicks on my knuckles. I was also running a low grade fever (100) I went to urgent care (it was a weekend) and they treated it as an infection with antibiotics and a burn ointment. I did tell them I was on chemo, but I don't think anyone ever connected all the dots. The next cycle the same thing happened, but a little more intense - both hands. Again treated as an infection with antibiotics and cream. Then my arms lit up and I was red from my knuckles to my sleeve line. When this subsided, the skin peeled. This time I was told it was a skin toxicity from the Taxotere and that it was not uncommon. I also had some foot involvement. My LAST cycle I had a reduced dose of chemo and was on steroids for a longer period of time to prevent this side effect. It didn't. I still got it. But it's now history. I still don't understand it, but I know it was taken seriously by my oncologist who gave me options of not having my last chemo, delaying it, or reducing the dose and getting it on time. I chose the reduced dose (which she said would not impact the efficacy of the poison) and keeping on schedule.

I had no itching, just red.

Suzanne

margz35 said:

My itchy pink sisters - you are all amazing and ...
such a wealth of information - I am so blessed to know you all!!!

So here is where I am at .... on Friday I was prescribed 4 smallish (hardly worth it) tubes of trian.... something cream with a 0.5% steroid in it. Useless!
I slathered my complete body for 2 days and the tubes were gone.
On Saturday I called the on-call doctor who told me to get Benadryl - which I did and it was semi-ok. I did not get drowsy from it which was good.
On Sunday I could not walk - my arches itched and ached and from my bra line to my undies line was all red and itchy and I looked like I had measles. HELL ON EARTH!!!!!
I then purchase some Aveeno for Excema sufferers and dead lord what a life saver and a cheap one at that. Still no relief and my 3rd chemo is this Friday. I see my onco tomorrow at 3pm so I am really interested in what he says. I am so so exhausted..

Thank you so much for all your advice, hints and tips and I will update you tomorrow ....
Margz

CypressCynthia said:

I am glad that you have
I am glad that you have called your physician's office because they will know if this is expected or if it is a more serious reaction.

I would not take claritin and zyrtec (nearly the same) without checking with your physician. Antihistamines are usually very safe, but taking zyrtec AND claritin may result in an overdosage.

If it has been 12 hrs or longer, you are probably ok to take benadryl (a shorter acting antihistamine), IF you are going to sleep (don't drive, etc). Do not take benadryl with a decongestant, if you are taking zyrtec-D as that will be too much decongestant. I generally recommend taking an antihistamnine without a decongestant whenever possible as decongestants increase your heart rate and are hard on hearts--something that we don't need on or after chemo.

Also, besides cortisone cream (I really like the ones with aloe) and calamine lotion, I would use a gentle sunscreen if you go out as many of these chemo drugs increase our sensitivity to sunlight. The over-the-counter cortisone creams may not be strong enough and you may need a prescription strength type or oral steroids.

The info below is from ChemoCare:
From:
Skin Reactions

"RASH

What is a rash?

A rash is a general term for skin reactions, some more specific terms are used to describe what the rash looks like such as:
•Erythematous - redness.
•Macular - small, distinct, flat areas.
•Papular - small raised lesions.
•A macularpapular rash is the most common type of drug-induced skin reaction. These skin reactions usually start on the trunk. The arms and legs are often involved but the face may be spared. The rash is usually bright red in color and the skin may feel hot, burning or itchy. This rash can occur with almost any drug at any time up to two to three weeks after the drug has been given, but are most common within the first 10 days.
•A severe form of this type of rash would be a wide spread, red rash that blends together. Often associated with peeling of the skin, and desquamation (areas of wet or dry open sores). There may be other symptoms such as fever, lymph node enlargement, and loss of appetite.

Hives: raised, itchy, red blotches or wheals which may be pale in the center and red around the outside. This is also a common drug reaction usually occurring within 36 hours of drug exposure. The lesions rarely last for more than 24 hours. However on giving the drug again the skin reactions may develop within minutes.
•Management of hives involves stopping the causative agent and treatment with antihistamines.
•Swelling or edema may also occur with hives as part of an allergic reaction. It is a vascular reaction resulting in an increased ability for fluid in the cells to "leak" into the layers of the skin causing swelling. These skin reactions happen much less often than hives alone. The tongue, lips, or eyelids are generally affected. Swelling of the airways can result in difficulty breathing, closing off of the airway and death. If swelling is happening and any sign of breathing difficulty seek help immediately.

Acne: Some drugs can cause or make acne worse. The lesions in acne like rashes are papular and pus filled but blackheads are usually absent.
•Drugs commonly associated with this type of rash are corticosteroids, androgens (in females), dactinomycin, vinblastin, oral contraceptives.

Psoriasis: Typically described as reddish patches covered with large dry silvery scales.
•Some drugs are associated with psoriasis in persons with no prior history of this skin condition (interferon alfa) or occasionally can worsen pre-existing psoriasis (interferon alfa and interleukin-2).

Purpura: A condition characterized by bleeding under the skin or mucous membranes. This results in the appearance of purplish spots or patches.
•The main cause of these skin reactions is thrombocytopenia (very low platelet count).

Steven-Johnson syndrome (SJS): A very severe, uncommon skin reaction that includes flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, generalized aches, fatigue) and extensive skin reaction with a variety of patterns. Skin reactions may include skin blistering and erosions.
•This syndrome is frequently drug induced.
•A large number of drugs have been implicated as a cause of SJS, most common are penicillins, tetracyclines, sulphonamides and NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
•Drugs that may be responsible for these skin reactions should be stopped immediately.
•Patients are usually hospitalized to receive IV corticosteroids, fluid replacement and antibiotics, if needed.
•Drug rechallenge is never justified.

Things you can do to manage rashes:
•Wear loose non-irritating clothing.
•When bathing use a mild soap with out perfumes.
•When washing and drying the skin gently pat the area instead of rubbing with the towel or washcloth.
•Use sunscreen or protective clothing when out in the sun, even on cloudy days.
•Avoid tanning booths.
•Previous history of skin tanning without damaging burns or skin reactions to sunlight does not indicate that skin will respond the same way while on chemotherapy or radiation.

Drugs that may be prescribed by your doctor:
•Corticosteroid creams
•Sunscreens
•Calamine lotion for itching
•Antihistamines to treat an allergic response.
•Analgesics (pain medications) if a painful rash is present."

I have ended chemotherapy for about 6 months and have had severe itching on my back, chest, arms, and legs.  I have been to my oncologist, my primary doctor, a dermatologist, an allergist and a neurologist.  No one knows what this is.  I use topical remedies and this helps to get sleep.  Antihistimines do not help.  I do have low platelets.  Any suggestions for help.  David N