Strange Rash

staceyp
staceyp Member Posts: 26
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi,

My husband just completed his chemotherapy in June. He never had any touble with break outs or rashes during that time. However, recently he has been breaking out, especially on his back, face, and head. It looks like acne and it is very painful, he says. It also itches. Is this common after completion of chemo? He was on 5FU,Oxaliplatin, Avestin, and Luekavorin (unsure of spelling). Anybody experience this? What helps?

Thanks guys,
Stacey

Comments

  • foxy
    foxy Member Posts: 188 Member
    #2
    Hi Stacey, has he seen a Dr? Sounds a bit like shingles.
    I hope not for his sake.
    Virginia.
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #3
    If it is on one side and seems to follow a pattern (shingles goes along the path of a nerve) then it likely is shingles and there is medication to heal quickly and to help the pain. He does need to see a doctor.

    ****
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #4
    Or maybe a fungus infection? (Could try Head-n-Shoulders.)

    Greg
  • staceyp
    staceyp Member Posts: 26
    #5
    Hi,

    Thanks everyone for responding. He had a registered nurse look at it because we thought it could be shingles. She said it definitely was not. I never thought about a fungus. Ewwww! Do you think this could be chemo/cancer related? Or maybe from stress? Nonetheless, you are all right. We need to see a doctor. I'll make it happen ASAP. Thanks again for your help.

    Stacey
  • mindy10
    mindy10 Member Posts: 182 Member
    #6
    My dad had that rash while he took oxaliplatin. He took benydryl. His dr ended taking him of oxaliplatin because he said it was a bad reaction from it. He was on it for 3 months before the rash broke out.
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #7
    staceyp said:

    Hi,

    Thanks everyone for responding. He had a registered nurse look at it because we thought it could be shingles. She said it definitely was not. I never thought about a fungus. Ewwww! Do you think this could be chemo/cancer related? Or maybe from stress? Nonetheless, you are all right. We need to see a doctor. I'll make it happen ASAP. Thanks again for your help.

    Stacey

    Don't put any stock in my suggestion of a fungus. It just came to mind because I happened across a reference to oral fungus as a possible side effect of chemo.
  • levensweg
    levensweg Member Posts: 55
    #8
    Stacey,
    I don't know if what I had is similar: I took the same chemo regime as your husband. I had acne problems (not too painful though) on my face back and neck especially. I also had some type of psoriasis (was never really sure) with spots of scaling skin around my ears and scalp and on my face.This was accompanied with bad dandruff. The scaling skin was itchy, menacing and hung around for six months after chemo, then mysteriously disapeared. I remember my scalp stinging when I washed it in the shower. The acne took about four months to fade away.

    For me, unscented soaps and detergents as well as natural mosturizers helped a little. When I was desperate I used hydrocortizone cream sparingly which I borrowed from my stepmother (I don't know if that was a good idea but it helped me).I considered seeing a dermatologist but never did.

    I don't know if any of this is helpful but I thought it worth sharing. Good luck and hang in there!

    Leven
  • staceyp
    staceyp Member Posts: 26
    #9
    levensweg said:

    Stacey,
    I don't know if what I had is similar: I took the same chemo regime as your husband. I had acne problems (not too painful though) on my face back and neck especially. I also had some type of psoriasis (was never really sure) with spots of scaling skin around my ears and scalp and on my face.This was accompanied with bad dandruff. The scaling skin was itchy, menacing and hung around for six months after chemo, then mysteriously disapeared. I remember my scalp stinging when I washed it in the shower. The acne took about four months to fade away.

    For me, unscented soaps and detergents as well as natural mosturizers helped a little. When I was desperate I used hydrocortizone cream sparingly which I borrowed from my stepmother (I don't know if that was a good idea but it helped me).I considered seeing a dermatologist but never did.

    I don't know if any of this is helpful but I thought it worth sharing. Good luck and hang in there!

    Leven

    Thanks for sharing. It does sound similar. We'll try the hydrocortizone cream and I'm trying to get him in to see his dermotologist. I'll let everyone know what he says about it.

    Stacey
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #10
    I think it could well be due to his body trying to purge itself of all those toxins. It is common when someone is detoxing from drugs, bad diet, alchohol, etc. to break out. Anyway, that is my theory. As to how long it will last or what to do to make it go away, I have no idea except that I would recommend he drink a ton of water!
    Good luck,
    Susan.
  • steelerfan
    steelerfan Member Posts: 26 Member
    #11
    Hi Stacey, I am not sure if I have the same thing or not. I finished chemo (5FU and leukovorin) last July (2005) and I have been breaking out ever since. It started on my chest while I was going through chemo and now it has been getting worse. It looks like acne on my face, neck, and chest. Mine mostly itches like hives or bites. I have been to the dermatologist and she gave me 2 creams to treat acne. She didn't even look at it. Needless to say, it hasn't helped. I have also used hydrocortizone too. I am currently trying to find a different dermatologist and I'll let you know if I find out anything about it. Mary

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