Red face and itching !: Hi everyone... - My Breast Cancer ...

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Red face and itching !

Iknitandstitch profile image
14 Replies

Hi everyone

Just throwing this out there to see if anyone else had similar - its a year since I finished radiotherapy - I do have sensitive skin and had many side effects at time of RT (Most of which I was told RT doesn't cause) even tho I know it did !

recently I have had red streaks each side of my nose the skin a little rough in places I have been using SPF30 moisturiser but just wondered if it could be yet another effect left over from the RT as my boob still has burnt skin my Dr. Has given me a steroid cream which sort of settled it but now it's back again I wondered if anyone else has had this happen or if the sun has caused my skin to react this way - I am not a su sorshipper never have been just every day living

today was out with friend in London and my face has been itching under my chin and when I got home and looked in mirror the redness is the worst its ever been.

In the grand scheme of things it's not bad but am so fed up

Diane

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Iknitandstitch
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14 Replies

Hi. Sorry to hear about your side effects. I was wondering if you are on any hormone treatment? I had lots of side effects on Anastrozole, including changes to my skin and itching. I had horrible burns from radiotherapy too. I hope someone can come up with an answer for you.

Iknitandstitch profile image
Iknitandstitch in reply to

Hi

I did rIng the breast care nurses this morning and she said it was highly unlikely so who knows I have appt with GP this Fri. As long as I get back from another hospital appt in time! I TAKE 10mg ,Tamoxifen twice a day after being takenoff Letrozole after only 5 weeks

People don't realise that altho treatment has finished anytime u see a Dr. For hospital appt you have to dredge it all up again just when you may have just put it to the back of your mind -so you get constantly reminded of even if you don't want to be !!

Face is itching virtually all day today and feels so hot but not all that red I hace dermol lotio which soothes immediately after to use but not for many minutes then it starts itching agajn more after Dr.s appt.

Diane

in reply to Iknitandstitch

A friend of mine got a rash from Tamoxifen and very dry skin. Her nurse didn’t think it was the treatment either but we all react differently to things. Hope you get to your appointment. Nothing worse than itching when the weather is hot.

Tina-pat profile image
Tina-pat

Hi I’ve developed eczema down the right side of my body which is the side I had the radiotherapy on . I even have it behind my ear my doctor convinced it was the radiotherapy that caused as I don’t have it anywhere else . I use dermal creams to shower/ bath with and steroid cream . He also prescribe a antihistamine tablet to help with the itching

Jennymary profile image
Jennymary in reply to Tina-pat

Hi Tina-Pat, don't want to alarm or worry you, but I developed dry flaky skin on my breast a couple of yrs after treatment finished, 3 visits to GP each time cream cleared it up then it returned, resulted in being sent for a biopsy just to be safe, as soon as consultant saw my breast he said 'you've got lymphodema' the biopsy showed I've got exzema, but I was referred to the Lymphodema service where I was diagnosed with Lymphodema in both breasts, might be worth asking for a referral to your nearest Lymphodema centre just as a precaution, good luck

Tina-pat profile image
Tina-pat in reply to Jennymary

Thank you Jenny-Mary I’m already being seen by lymphodema nurse and I most admit the elastic vest bras and elastic sleeves are really comfortable . They may not look pretty but they sure do help with build up of fluid . Everyone thinks the once the treatment finished that’s it and don’t realise what else we go through but we are alive so that the main thing .

MexicoHeather profile image
MexicoHeather in reply to Tina-pat

I think you're on to something to link the itching to the lymphedema. It could also be the lack of estrogen changes your skin. Yes. It all gets dredged up again, but it's good to track down the symptoms. I use a heavier moisturizer and I feel better.

Iknitandstitch profile image
Iknitandstitch in reply to MexicoHeather

Hi Mecixoheather

I have used 3 different moisturizers and none seem to do anything !! I will research LYMPHODEMA tomorrow as had busy day today and am tired and searching "Mistress Google" as its known in our house is best done on laptop - using tablet at moment am going to get some Nivea tomorrow and see if that is any better

Hugs Diane

Julie2233 profile image
Julie2233

Did the doctor rule out rosacea? I developed that while on chemo, it's a red rough and sometimes itchy rash on the face. The gp gave me an antibiotic cream which helped.

Iknitandstitch profile image
Iknitandstitch in reply to Julie2233

Yes Julie she did rule that out at the start and said she would treat the symptoms as presented and gave me steroid cream which did work to a degrees then she checked me weekly except when she was away and the las time I saw her it had all gone - said if it came back use cream but let her know I was OK for 1 week then it started up again for about 6 days by time got appt. It was gone only very feint pink so she has referred me to see dermatologist

Hugs Diane

Julie2233 profile image
Julie2233 in reply to Iknitandstitch

I really hope the dermatologist finds the cause for you. Our immune, hormonal and lymphatic systems are really put through the ringer with treatment.

Iknitandstitch profile image
Iknitandstitch in reply to Julie2233

Tku Julie no idea how long I will have yo wait - as and when and or if I get an answer I will let u know

Hugs Diane

Julie2233 profile image
Julie2233

Thanks :-) I'm really interested to know, I've had excema, psoriasis, rosacea and lymphoedema (thankfully at different times!) I know how complicated it is to find the right diagnosis and treatment - let alone find the cause :-)

Iknitandstitch profile image
Iknitandstitch in reply to Julie2233

Oh Julie you made me smile /laugh I have escaped all the things u listed but managed with RT to get side effects that I was told "RT" does not cause this not once but twice and unfortunately for me it did - they know differently now I think they all read from the same hymn sheet and just Becks they haven't come across it before doesn't me a it cannot happen. the registrar soon told me that what I had experienced was rare but know apparently non of the radiologists working on the day I raised my concerns had not come across it before - to say I was furious would be an understatement reputedly they afe now supposed to know differently.

Signing off now to rest and relax luv Diane

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