Help! Painful pimply sores after having head shaved! OUCH

McMarty
McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

My hair started falling out because of the Taxol last week, so I went to get my head shaved.  Now I have painful pimply sores all over my head!  Eeeouch! 

Did any of you guys have that or have any great ideas for fixing it?

Marty

Comments

  • Rhaisma1
    Rhaisma1 Member Posts: 2
    #2
    Hope this helps!

    Hi Marty,

     

    After I read your comment I decided to go do some research of what might help. I found this on LiveStrong. I'm not sure if it work but I hope it helps!!

     

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/198807-how-to-treat-razor-bumps-on-the-head/

     

     

    You shaved your head and now you see bumps on it that look like blisters or pimples. These bumps are razor bumps, which are caused when your hair grows into the skin as it begins to grow again. Treating the symptoms of the razor bumps, including the bump itself, pain and itching, as soon as you notice the bumps might prevent complications like permanent scarring. While you are treating the razor bumps, let your hair grow out to prevent more razor bumps from forming.

     

    Step 1:

    Place wet, hot compresses on your head for at least five minutes per session for three sessions per day. This will encourage the bumps to drain and help the lesions to heal faster.

     

    Step 2

    Wash your head daily to remove sweat. Use antibacterial or anti-acne wash containing salicylic acid on a washcloth, notes the U.S. Department of the Navy. Work in a circular motion for three to five minutes to loosen ingrown hairs as you wash.

     

    Step 3

    Reduce irritation by applying 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to each bump two to three times per day.

     

    Step 4

    Apply triple antibiotic ointment or Bacitracin ointment to the razor bumps according to the manufacturer's instructions This will reduce irritation and help to prevent infection.



     

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member
    #3
    Rhaisma1 said:

    Hope this helps!

    Hi Marty,

     

    After I read your comment I decided to go do some research of what might help. I found this on LiveStrong. I'm not sure if it work but I hope it helps!!

     

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/198807-how-to-treat-razor-bumps-on-the-head/

     

     

    You shaved your head and now you see bumps on it that look like blisters or pimples. These bumps are razor bumps, which are caused when your hair grows into the skin as it begins to grow again. Treating the symptoms of the razor bumps, including the bump itself, pain and itching, as soon as you notice the bumps might prevent complications like permanent scarring. While you are treating the razor bumps, let your hair grow out to prevent more razor bumps from forming.

     

    Step 1:

    Place wet, hot compresses on your head for at least five minutes per session for three sessions per day. This will encourage the bumps to drain and help the lesions to heal faster.

     

    Step 2

    Wash your head daily to remove sweat. Use antibacterial or anti-acne wash containing salicylic acid on a washcloth, notes the U.S. Department of the Navy. Work in a circular motion for three to five minutes to loosen ingrown hairs as you wash.

     

    Step 3

    Reduce irritation by applying 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to each bump two to three times per day.

     

    Step 4

    Apply triple antibiotic ointment or Bacitracin ointment to the razor bumps according to the manufacturer's instructions This will reduce irritation and help to prevent infection.



     

    Rhaisma - THANK YOU!

    The warm wet compress sounds wonderful!  Thank you for looking that up!  I'm going to go do that now!!

  • Rhaisma1
    Rhaisma1 Member Posts: 2
    #4
    McMarty said:

    Rhaisma - THANK YOU!

    The warm wet compress sounds wonderful!  Thank you for looking that up!  I'm going to go do that now!!

    Welcome!

    Good luck!! :)

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #5
    McMarty said:

    Rhaisma - THANK YOU!

    The warm wet compress sounds wonderful!  Thank you for looking that up!  I'm going to go do that now!!

    I hope the warm compresses

    I hope the warm compresses help you Marty.  Have you called your oncologist's office or called your pharmacist?  Perhaps they can help you out.

     

    Good luck!

  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #6
    There is a condition called

    There is a condition called foliculitis, basically an inflammation of the hair follical.  If that's what it is your onc or advice nurse will have seen it before and know what to do.  Another option would be so see a dermatologist.  Good luck!

    Hugs,

    Linda

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member
    #7
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    There is a condition called

    There is a condition called foliculitis, basically an inflammation of the hair follical.  If that's what it is your onc or advice nurse will have seen it before and know what to do.  Another option would be so see a dermatologist.  Good luck!

    Hugs,

    Linda

    Thanks Linda,  I'll show it

    Thanks Linda,  I'll show it to the nurse tomorrow, I have to go in for chmeo anyway.

    I think it's getting better with the warm compresses and Hydrocortizone and all.  But I would LOVE for it to be GONE!!

     

  • PatFried
    PatFried Member Posts: 45
    #8
    Painful pimply sores

    I just had the same thing about a month ago.  The infusion nurse told me it's a side effect of the taxol.  Of course not everyone gets it, but I sure did.  She said just keep it clean and spray benedryl on it 2-3 times a day.  I couldn't really put cream on each one because there were too many.  I am happy to say they are all gone.  It took about 10 days to get rid of them.  Hope this helps. 

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #9
    PatFried said:

    Painful pimply sores

    I just had the same thing about a month ago.  The infusion nurse told me it's a side effect of the taxol.  Of course not everyone gets it, but I sure did.  She said just keep it clean and spray benedryl on it 2-3 times a day.  I couldn't really put cream on each one because there were too many.  I am happy to say they are all gone.  It took about 10 days to get rid of them.  Hope this helps. 

    ... when these painful pimples clear up ...

    and you wash your scalp -- you may want to try using Neutrogena T-Gel (not a pleasure smell), but it will keep your pores clean, and clear.  Been there like so many other Sisters in PINK.

    Gentle hugs,

    Vicki Sam

  • Pink Rose
    Pink Rose Member Posts: 493
    #10
    McMarty said:

    Thanks Linda,  I'll show it

    Thanks Linda,  I'll show it to the nurse tomorrow, I have to go in for chmeo anyway.

    I think it's getting better with the warm compresses and Hydrocortizone and all.  But I would LOVE for it to be GONE!!

     

    I hope your nurse can help

    I hope your nurse can help you.  How is chemo going for you now?

     

    Hugs,Rose

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member
    #11
    PatFried said:

    Painful pimply sores

    I just had the same thing about a month ago.  The infusion nurse told me it's a side effect of the taxol.  Of course not everyone gets it, but I sure did.  She said just keep it clean and spray benedryl on it 2-3 times a day.  I couldn't really put cream on each one because there were too many.  I am happy to say they are all gone.  It took about 10 days to get rid of them.  Hope this helps. 

    Benedryl!  That's a good

    Benedryl!  That's a good idea.  I've been using Hydrocortizone cream, Hydrogen Peroxide, acne facial wipes, baking soda.  It's getting better but I'm gonna smear some Benedryl on it for sure!  All of that SHOULD cover WHATEVER it is!!  :)

    I have the cleanest head in county I'll bet!

    Thank you!  That makes a lot of sense.  One of my nurses today said it might be Taxol rash, but offered no advice.

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member
    #12
    VickiSam said:

    ... when these painful pimples clear up ...

    and you wash your scalp -- you may want to try using Neutrogena T-Gel (not a pleasure smell), but it will keep your pores clean, and clear.  Been there like so many other Sisters in PINK.

    Gentle hugs,

    Vicki Sam

    Thanks VickiSam!  When this

    Thanks VickiSam!  When this does clear up I SURE don't want it to come back!!!  Guess my husband's going to WalMart this weekend.  I you guys see him there, try not to scare him.  :P

  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #13
    McMarty said:

    Benedryl!  That's a good

    Benedryl!  That's a good idea.  I've been using Hydrocortizone cream, Hydrogen Peroxide, acne facial wipes, baking soda.  It's getting better but I'm gonna smear some Benedryl on it for sure!  All of that SHOULD cover WHATEVER it is!!  :)

    I have the cleanest head in county I'll bet!

    Thank you!  That makes a lot of sense.  One of my nurses today said it might be Taxol rash, but offered no advice.

    I have heard of the Taxol

    I have heard of the Taxol rash from others on here Marty.  Hoping the benadryl will help you!

     

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #14
    Kristin N said:

    I have heard of the Taxol

    I have heard of the Taxol rash from others on here Marty.  Hoping the benadryl will help you!

     

    Did anything clear it up

    Did anything clear it up Marty?  Are you better now?  What helped?

  • abe lincoln 1951
    abe lincoln 1951 Member Posts: 1
    #15
    To shave or not to shave.... that is the question

    Next time just get your hair cut very very close/short.

    You don't want to look like Telly Savallis do you ?

    When it was my time to make that decision, that is what I did---- also I was afraid of getting cut and starting an infection since chemo really lowers imunnity.

     

  • chemobiyatch.blogspot.com
    chemobiyatch.blogspot.com Member Posts: 4
    #16
    I bought my own shaver and my

    I bought my own shaver and my husband shaved it so I could be sure it was sterile. And I wash with a mild, soap free shampoo. But just after Chemo I did break out into a huge rash all over and the only thing that helped was perscription steriods. 

    Hope this helps. 

    http://chemobiyatch.blogspot.com

     

  • pamcb3
    pamcb3 Member Posts: 44
    #17
    Sore head
    Hi, I am a hairdresser who has been through it and helped friends through it. If you can get a bottle of morrocan oil. If you can't get it in a salon get it on amazon.com. Rub 3-4 drops on your head twice a day. I also recommend getting nioxin shampoo and conditioner. It is a great deep cleanser of the scalp. My hair came back curly but very nice. I was using the products long before I found out I had cancer and I didn't experience any scalp pain. But others said it helped alot. Plus it smell wonderful. Good luck!:)
  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member
    #18
    pamcb3 said:

    Sore head
    Hi, I am a hairdresser who has been through it and helped friends through it. If you can get a bottle of morrocan oil. If you can't get it in a salon get it on amazon.com. Rub 3-4 drops on your head twice a day. I also recommend getting nioxin shampoo and conditioner. It is a great deep cleanser of the scalp. My hair came back curly but very nice. I was using the products long before I found out I had cancer and I didn't experience any scalp pain. But others said it helped alot. Plus it smell wonderful. Good luck!:)

    Thank you Pamcb3!  I do love

    Thank you Pamcb3!  I do love the way that stuff smells!  That is great advice!!

  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #19
    McMarty said:

    Thank you Pamcb3!  I do love

    Thank you Pamcb3!  I do love the way that stuff smells!  That is great advice!!

    Is your head better now?  Are

    Is your head better now?  Are the sores gone?

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member
    #20
    Alexis F said:

    Is your head better now?  Are

    Is your head better now?  Are the sores gone?

    Alexis it is all better now! 

    Alexis it is all better now!  I rubbed so much stuff on it it's probably afraid to act up now :)

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