Venetoclax and Eczema

[GerryPL]

I have been on Venetoclax for 8 months and over the last 6 weeks developed Eczema over multiple part of my body. Never had it before, my son is a Consultant Dermatologist and confirmed it was Eczema. This is my final cycle of Venetoclax and hope it will clear up when I stop. Only ever use pure soap to wash with (no perfume etc) and have not changed my behaviour in any way that might have caused it.

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Gerry, has your son suggested the type of Eczema you are experiencing?

The following linked site is a good run down of the possibilities of types of Eczema---each from a different trigger/cause.

I hope you find your cause and can get some relief soon.

[GerryPL in reply to cllady01]

Thanks for the advice, that is very helpful. I am just wondering if exzema should be flagged up as a side effect of long-term use of venetoclax. When I speak to my haematologist again I'll ask him to consider that.

[Photo300]

Hi Gerry, I am in the same position as you. I have been taking Venetoclax for about 10 months and in the last few started with eczema across multiple parts of my body, the legs being worst. My haematology doctor arranged a dermatology consultation at my local hospital and after the visit it was confirmed as discoid eczema. I have been prescribed 'Globoderm' (500micrograms/g) ointment to use on the affected areas and 'Hydromol' ointment for general use and I must admit that the combination works wonders. As soon as a patch appears I apply the ointment and within a couple of days it starts to subside.

[GerryPL in reply to Photo300]

Thanks that is very helpful. I went back to my son this evening sending some close up photos he said to use Elocon which I think is a similar potent steroid cream to Globoderm. Always a bit cautious about any prolonged use of these steroids.

[hankisbest]

My skin suffered during treatment with Gazyva/Venclexta. Super dry, itchy, bumps and such. I am followed by a surgeon after one squamous cell carcinoma came put on my leg. For the dryness I would say stay away from perfumes and dyes in any skin products, soaps and creams, and your laundry soap. I got some relief finally by making a batch of body butter (easy to make!) and applying heavily for about a month. No essential oils or scent of any kind added no matter how tempting!

[susq9948 in reply to hankisbest]

How did you make your body butter?

[SofiaDeo in reply to susq9948]

I use nilotica shea butter, coconut oil, and for especially heavy flare ups kukui nut oil. I also keep nilotica shea oil around, it's in a pump bottle so easy to use. A commercial brand that currently doesn't irritate my skin is Sundial Brands' Shea Moisture line, they have a variety of skin and hair products. Those have natural scents, so if scents are bothering you, maybe skip them. But instead of perfumes, I can use their Coconut and Hibiscus Body Lotion for one scent, and their Baby Lotion has frankincense and myrrh for a different scent. But I am watching that brand closely, Unilever bought them out in 2017 and I hope they won't switch to cheaper stuff in the products. I know when Proctor & Gamble bought out Vidal Sassoon, the products were discontinued, then brought back but with different formulations, which I reacted to.

[GerryPL in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thanks so much for your really helpful reply. I've have ordered some nilotica shea butter.

[hankisbest in reply to susq9948]

Put 1/2 cup each of Shea butter, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil into a double boiler and heat over medium heat stirring constantly until melted. Cool slightly. Place bowl in refrigerator for one hour or until edges are hardening. Beat/whip with hand mixer until fluffy. You can also add cocoa butter.

[SofiaDeo in reply to hankisbest]

This sounds better than the shea/coconut mix I use! I am going to try this one out too, thanks!

[GerryPL]

Thanks so much for your helpful reply, its a great help to know others have similar problems.

[Jujy]

Curious if your eczema got better when you completed your venetoclax treatment ended. Husband got eczema about 7 or 8 cycles in.

[GerryPL]

My eczema has certainly improved and I try to carefully manage it. Didn't find steroid creams were anything but a short-term solution and now use Dermol emolument even when I have no eczema - avoid soap altogether. As regards CLL and eczema I think there is probably a link but can't find any reliable research to support that.