Itchy skin

[Beckyjh]

Has anybody had itchy skin as a side effect of carbo/gem?

I had my first round 2 weeks ago and last night my skin started to really itch all over my body.

I have mets in my liver so I’m worried that rather than a chemo side effect this might be a sign of poor liver function. It comes to something when I’m hoping this is a chemo side effect!!

Becky

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Becky, I was replying that it sounded like a reaction to the chemo but reading your post again I se you had chemo 2 weeks ago. Its definitely worth giving hospital a call and speaking with your Nurse to see what they say xx Kathy xx

[Yoshbosh]

Hi Becky,

I found my hands were itchy, but not my whole body. Might be worth giving the hospital a call just to check?

Vicki x

[Nancy222]

Hi Becky,

Are you moisturizing? When I had my initial chemo treatment, I was told to keep the skin well moisturized.

Is this treatment for the liver mets?

[Beckyjh in reply to Nancy222]

My treatment is for my OC recurrence overall. I’ve just soaked in a bath of Epsom salts and coconut oil and that has helped a lot. I think my skin had just got very dry. I’ll see how I go over the weekend. I’m back at chemo on Wednesday so I’ll tell them then if it get worse again.

Becky.

[Nancy222]

Good to know you've had some relief. Sometimes that little relief goes a long way to boost our endurance.

[DanielleRice]

Hi Becky,

Do make sure that it's not an allergic reaction to the chemo! They can happen at any time even two weeks out. Or so I've been told. Good luck!

[ShazD]

Hi. I would check with hospital re skin first. Are you moisturising your skin? I am a tissue viability CNS and I recommend dermal lotion instead of soap. Put it on and then later up in the shower and rinse off. I then apply dermal cream all over. It is anti microbial and anti itch. It is brilliant and I have not had any problems with itchy skin during my carbo/taxol/ avastin regime. The other option is using Balneum plus which is very moisturising due to its urea content. It has to be the plus version if your skin is itchy. Your GP can prescribe the dermal but will normally only prescribe the dermal cream. The balneum is more expensive so check with your GP but they may prescribe it for you.

[bluepeterella]

I had this with carbo/taxol, not at the time of treatment but up to 3 weeks after. It was mostly on my hands and feet but sometimes along my ribcage or back. I haven't had anything like it before or since but it felt really horrible. Thankfully it would come and go and didn't last longer than around 10 minutes. I found that piriton helped so I assumed it was some kind of a reaction to the chemo exiting through my pores.

[Hertsmum]

Hi Becky

I am on taxol and gem and I have an itchy rash on my tummy and back, it’s a bit like prickly heat rash. I’ve used E45 and Dermalex cream but neither provide lasting relief. Doc suggested anti histamine tablets - haven’t worked for me but they do for some people. I too am hoping it is ‘just’ a chemo side effect, I also have liver mets, but it definitely only came on after I started this chemo a month ago. I might try the Epsom salts !

Hope it stays manageable for you.

Madeline xx