radiation & urbitux: burning skin solutions?

I'm an expert at Erbitux problems
as I had them by the bucketful during my lengthy exposure to the drug. Within two weeks of starting this drug it was obvious I was overresponding to it. I not only had burning, my face was extremely red, and swollen as well. By three weeks my skin around the eyes was cracked and bleeding. It was a struggle to stay on the drug.

None of the over the counter meds helped with this, and my bet is they won't with you either. I didn't get excessive acne, just fire-engine red and very significant swelling. They ended up putting me on oral steroids (like decadron), which I ended up taking for several months. It certainly helped me to do this, swelling was fairly well controled, and my cracking and bleeding improved (I'm not saying it went away, just that it was more tolerable).

I stayed on the erbitux, because I wanted to beat the cancer, and this seemed my best plan, despite the side-effects. They still ended up discontinuing the erbitux about 3 weeks before anticipated because things just got to be too much to handle.

So I'd say your symptoms are enough that you should go right back and solicit help from your chemo doctor. Mine was seeing me every week, so all of this was handled at routine appointments, but you get my drift.

Erbitux is a great drug. It isn't always easy to take. Hope this helps.


Pat

D Lewis said:

Biafine cream
Long story - I was given an antibiotic (by my gastroenterologist, after insertion of the PEG tube, some two or three weeks into my radiation program)that caused sensitivity to the sun. Duh. Immediate second/third degree burns on neck and face, even before my very next radiation treatment. I was given a week's vacation from treatment, and a tube of the most wonderful white burn cream "Biafine" that caused very rapid healing. It's a prescription item. Cleared up the burns in under a week. I used it for the remainder of my treatment, and it worked wonders.

Deb

Rad Burn
I tried the Aloe and it stung where the skin was deeply burned. Used Cortisone cream for itching but avoid putting in on raw spots. What I ended up using the whole time was the Aquafor. Used it day and night and was warned not to go out in the sun with in on. So I stayed inside until my neck healed. Now I'm just using moisturizers.

Oh, and I had to go out and buy a tank top so the neck line wouldn't rub it. So far so good. Mine is healing well now that I'm done.

Tommy

jtl said:

I had 8 sessions of Erbitux
I had 8 sessions of Erbitux and the only reaction that I had was the dreaded acne for which I was prescribed a topical cortisone and doxycycline. Mine was pretty severe with pustules and lots of redness. It started at about week two and only lasted for a couple of weeks, if that. The radiation burns were only on one side of my neck, much like a moderate sunburn. They started later in the radiation process. I used a product especially formulated for radiation burns called Miaderm which can only be purchased online and it seem to help, but any natural aloe gel is also a good choice. I used that as well. The burn products do seem to sting for a few seconds before they soothe. You may want to get some advice from a dermatologist. I think it may be the Erbitux that is causing your discomfort because it seems kind of early for the rad burns. Hang in there because in most cases it is a temporary albit a painful thing but do seek professional advice. Except for the acne Erbitux is pretty well tolerated (Pat may not agree) and doesn't appear to cause long term damage. My blood work was always normal except for a brief period where I had to take a magnesium supplement. Good luck.
John

I agree with you
I'm just still whining:)

longtermsurvivor said:

I agree with you
I'm just still whining:)

I am just happy that you are
I am just happy that you are improving.

Before you go out and
Before you go out and purchase a bunch of OTC creams check with you med onc. If this is Erbitux related they probably are not going to be the solution because things are changing at the molecular level. The rad nurses do not understand what the side effects of Erbitux are and naturally assume that it is rad related, which it may be, but at least rule out the Erbitux reaction which is common in 75% of the people on this drug. Some postulate that rashes and acne during Erbitux is a good sign and it means you are responding to the treatment. This is a relatively new drug and people who do not work with it on a regular basis are not informed. The good news is it may be the new gold standard since not much has changed in chemo treatment for 30 years. I embraced it for a number of reasons mostly because the long term damage to vital organs and tissues appears to be less than the alternatives.
John

sunshine_64 said:

thanks longterm!
I found your comments very useful - and they have prompted me to ask to see the doctors today after rad treatment! I have severe cracking at the sides of my mouth - which is making getting the tooth guard in next to impossible!

This group is the best - I honestly do not know what I would do with out all of you!

chelitis
is the term for the cracking at the sides of your mouth. Chemo of all sorts can do this, as can thrush. I've had it. It is darned uncomfortable. It took me about 2 months afer all chemo was stopped for this particular little problem to go away. Best wishes to you!