How long will this Erbitux rash last?

lisa42
lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi,
I've now had two treatments of Erbitux/Camptosar/Avastin. I've broken out in a horrid rash from the Erbitux. I never imagined it would be this bad and painful. My entire scalp is extremely sensitive- not sure if this is from Erbitux or maybe my hair will start to fall out soon from the Camptosar? I feel like I look like a monster. The acne on my face has now turned hard, dry, and crusty. I've been given oral minocycline (spelling?) and two ointments. The ointments seem to dry it all out even more, making my skin peel off over the newly erupting whiteheads. I've just taken the oral antibiotic for 3 days now & it hasn't started to help yet- I sure hope it will soon. Help- I don't want to leave my house and let anyone see me! Any additional suggestions?
Lisa

Comments

  • apache4
    apache4 Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
    Rash
    I am so sorry you have to suffer with this. I had it also...could not even wear my wig. Yes, you do feel like a monster and it is so scary. It does get better, though. I am glad you have the medicine and ointment as I did not get that for three weeks when I had to ask my onc for it :( It took about two weeks, more or less, for mine to get better. I also discovered that mineral powder make-up covered it somewhat so that I felt better. They tell you not to use it, but I did anyway and it was fine. It sounds gross, but I also broke open the "pimples" several times a day. I figured it is better to get that gunk out. Not recommended either :) My last treatment was Aug.14th and now my face is just about back to normal. I must say that it still itches in the sun and at night. Anyway, it does get better. It is just that initial breakout that is so painful and awful. Hang in there...I will be praying and thinking of you.
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #3
    thanks
    Hi,

    Thanks for sharing your information. It sounds like the medication should start helping within the next week (I hope!) In some weird way, it does help knowing I've not been the only one to have to deal with this!
    Glad to hear you've had your last treatment now. Best wishest to you!
    Lisa
  • impactzone
    impactzone Member Posts: 555 Member
    #4
    so sorry. I had it really
    so sorry. I had it really bad as well. For me, it would get worse as the treatments continued but that does seem to show effectiveness. I know there is a test for markers to see if it is effective. I used topical and oral antibiotics and cold washes all the time. Keep talking to nurses and find a combination that is OK. I know its tough but try to not worry about what others think. You are showing tremendous courage fighting and that is the face you are putting forward. Eventually you will be done and you will feel better.All my best
    Impactzone
  • apache4
    apache4 Member Posts: 272 Member
    #5
    lisa42 said:

    thanks
    Hi,

    Thanks for sharing your information. It sounds like the medication should start helping within the next week (I hope!) In some weird way, it does help knowing I've not been the only one to have to deal with this!
    Glad to hear you've had your last treatment now. Best wishest to you!
    Lisa

    One more thing
    I don't know if you have seen my other posts on this subject but...be on the lookout for a soreness and redness around any finger or toe cuticle. It almost seems like a hangnail, but is really something called a paronychial inflammation. It is a side effect of Erbitux also. I found out about it from the fda.gov information. It becomes extremely painful and skin will peel. If you see it start, as described above, put an antibiotic ointment on it and a band-aid. This will keep it from getting bad. I had a toe that took two months to heal and my thumb is still in the process after three weeks. Did not quite catch them in time. Since you are on the antibiotic you may avoid this. I am on one now and the healing seems to be faster. It is one of those things they don't warn you about. When I showed my onc my toe and told him what I thought it was, he just nodded his head. Well, it wasn't his toe! :)
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #6
    thanks
    Thanks- I truly appreciate your taking the time to let me know about all this. I will be on the lookout for it and be careful. I was never warned about this rash by my onc at all- I'm the one who had to ask about it myself, unfortunately.
    Lisa
  • Madre
    Madre Member Posts: 123
    #7
    lisa42 said:

    thanks
    Thanks- I truly appreciate your taking the time to let me know about all this. I will be on the lookout for it and be careful. I was never warned about this rash by my onc at all- I'm the one who had to ask about it myself, unfortunately.
    Lisa

    I had it too
    I only took erbitux for 2 rounds the rash was so bad i couldn't lay my head on my pillow, and the pimples would break open and bleed. They told me to keep the skin moisturized. I found this vaseline that comes in a cream form and I put it all over my face, a few hours later when I took a shower I used a wash cloth and gently "exfoliated" the dead skin from the broken pimples, then more vaseline cream. It made my skin not so dry, but still red. My friends said I just looked like I had a sunburn, and that it wasn't that bad to them. I had the prescription meds and antibiotics too. That didn't seem to do much for me. Good luck to you, if you can hang in there great!

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