Aftermath of horrible pimply rash on skull with Ibrutinib

[Provence]

Hello dear All,

I have not written for many weeks although I had intended to do so and let you know how my problem has been resolved. Another illness intervened with the writing ( see my next message ). But now I am much better and can let you know what has happened with the unbearable pimply rash that I had on my skull and neck. I could finally talk with my haematologist on January 4 after he had returned from his break and he suggested I should take an antihistamine as well as apply topical cortisone cream. I have been taking Polaramine 2 mg three times a day since then and it has worked. In fact I made a mistake in the beginning and took a double dose as I was taking two tablets of 2 mg three times a day for 9 days. Anyhow it worked and first the itching and burning subsided and gradually the big bumps have disappeared. Phew! I now have to stay on this permanently whilst taking Ibrutinib. I am not sure how that is for the body but I am very relieved that a solution was found.

You may not know Polaramine since this is France after all, but it says it is 'Maléate de dexchlorphéniramine'. That does not mean anything to me but maybe some of you are familiar with that?

Thank you all for your support a month ago,

Kunderke

[SofiaDeo]

Dexchlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. It can cause sedation/dizziness. Many people (myself included) take a daily antihistamine for allergies. I am allergic to dust, so I take mine year round. There are non-sedating antihistamines used for skin reactions if any drowsy effect doesn't go away, and you are concerned about driving, working with equipment, etc. There are also topical antihistamines (sprays, creams, lotions) that may work to target that area specifically if you don't want to take pills instead of flooding your body with the antihistamine..

[Provence in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thank you for the helpful information. I don't seem to be drowsy and have been able to drive, so that is not a major concern for me. Maybe because I take a tablet of 2 mg 3 times a day and not all at once. I am not sure what the negative effects could be of flooding my body with antihistamines for as long as I am on Ibrutinib. Do you have any information on that?I have not heard of topical antihistamines before and wonder if they would be equally efficient.

[SofiaDeo in reply to Provence]

Like virtually every other drug on the market, long term oral use could have side effects. Topical antihistamines have been around for decades, and something that is used topically will likely always have less effect on the body overall versus taking it orally. The older sedating antihistamines (like the one you are currently taking) cross the blood-brain barrier, and there are a few studies linking long term use with some disease states. I mention this because you intend on taking this oral medication 3 times a day as long as you are on the BTK inhibitor. It may be that now the condition has tamped down, a lower oral "maintenance" dose will keep the BTK side effect at bay. Lowering the dose once the original flare is resolved is commonly done for skin reactions/eruptions. A topical would be best IMO because it isn't getting into your bloodstream much, so any potential long term effect would be minimized. A spray or other clear liquid would be easiest & less greasy for the hair on your scalp IMO, but I have long hair! You may find putting a cream or lotion dab on your fingertips, then rubbing into your scalp, may work. If it makes your hair look/feel icky, do it at bedtime--easier to change a pillowcase more frequently than deal with dust, dirt, etc. getting into your hair. Ideally you apply this just after washing hair/wetting scalp (usually don't need shampoo daily unless you have dandruff or other condition) so it soaks deeply & quickly into damp skin. Here's a link to the chemical, the Synonym section shows many non-US names for this active ingredient:

pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/co...

This is just one example I know comes in a clear liquid, your local pharmacist/chemist will likely know the local topical antihistamines & forms available where you live.

[Provence in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thank you so much, I will follow up on this.