Problem with itchy skin...

[Bishtown]

Hi Ladies...I am just wondering if anyone else has a problem with itchy skin? I am on my 14th round of Ibrance and letrozole. Never had it too bad before, but the past couple weeks it is terrible. I could scratch all day. I have not changed the soaps, shampoos, or laundry detergents that I am using. No change in my diet either. Not sure what is happening.

[nstonerocks]

Is your skin dry? I go thru that too. Found that lanolin salve works really well and lasts all day.

[Bishtown in reply to nstonerocks]

Thank you for your reply. Skin doesn't seem excessively dry, but I am willing to try anything. What particular brand do you use? I need to rub it all over my body.

[nstonerocks in reply to Bishtown]

I use a salve I found in Ireland called Lanolia. It isn’t cheap and there are shipping charges. I think you could find a salve or lanolin based lotion locally though. Some people are allergic to lanolin, as it comes from sheep (it’s harvested from wool, no harm to the sheep). I’ve had no problem with it and find it very soothing and long lasting. The salve kind of melts in your hands and you spread it over your skin.

[Bishtown in reply to nstonerocks]

Thank you again...will check to see if I can get a comparable salve in the US. This itching is getting the best of me.

Love all you ladies on here!

[NShaft in reply to Bishtown]

I have had good results from Eczema Relief by Gold Bond. It seems to last longer than regular lotions. My skin itches and is very dry.

[Southside25 in reply to Bishtown]

My skin has gotten more dry and itchy since going on treatment. I find Cerave or Cetaphil very helpful. You can also try Aquaphor which is kind of a vasaline lotion. You can find these anywhere: Target, Walmart, etc.

[Wagdogchop in reply to nstonerocks]

Yes I have itchy skin too especially those that come in contact with elastic I have found that Aveeno shower jel and Cetave skin salve very useful for helping to relive the problem

[Julie2233]

Silly question but are you drinking enough? I've always suffered from very dry skin but since being on ibrance and faslodex it's actually improved because my consultant told me to drink 3 ltrs of fluid a day, preferably water. I can't manage 3 ltrs of water but I do drink around 3 ltrs of fluid, and if I don't even my teeth itch. It also helps with dry eyes.

[Bishtown in reply to Julie2233]

Thanks Julie...I think I do drink enough. Always been a water drinker. I have heard that when on Ibrance you should drink a gallon of water a day. Not sure I drink that much, but now that you mention it, I will try to up the amount that I do drink. Hate these odd side effects from the Ibrance, but shouldn’t complain...so far it seems to be working for me.

[Julie2233 in reply to Bishtown]

Another few thoughts, I've always had very dry skin and there are a few things I do that might help. I think the skins natural oils are important so I try to preserve them. Of course I shower everyday but minimise body washes that strip the skin of oil on areas where the skin is particularly dry and sensitive like the legs. I use a bar soap that I know suits my skin under my arms but everywhere else unless I've been gardening I just wash with water. Aqueous cream can be used as a soap substitute but it's never really done it for me. I rarely soak in a hot bath or have the shower as hot as I'd really like it because the heat of the water strips the skin. Honestly I don't smell or have body odour issues!

I've also found if I use a lot of moisturiser it actually makes my skin drier. I do use moisturiser but I only use just enough to make the skin comfortable and not everyday. If I use too much my skin stops producing it's own oil and the problem gets worse as I need to use more moisturiser to stop it cracking.

I also avoid over performed moisturisers. Over the years I've tried lots of products but for my skin the best I've used is a product called physiogel cream or lotion but you can't buy it in the uk. I also use e45 and cetroban, though surprisingly Nivea works well for me too. The doctor has prescribed steroid creams and they help in the short term but again they reduce the oil my skin produces.

The last thing that affects my skin is diet, red wine and too much sugar make my skin horrible. But as I said earlier increasing my water intake has made a big difference! Sorry for the essay!

[Bishtown in reply to Julie2233]

Please don’t apologize...on this site, we all need whatever suggestions anyone has. What works on one might or might not work on another, so all info is important to us. Thank you! Will try several suggestions and report back how they work.

[Livinthedream]

Ask your oncologist for clobetasol propionate ointment. Kills itching on rashes etc like Boom!

[Bishtown in reply to Livinthedream]

Never heard of it, but will definitely ask! Thank you!

[Red71]

I buy a Vitamin E oil that I use on my skin after I was with mild soap in the shower. After I smooth it on...in every place I can reach! I stand in the shower for a couple of more minutes and let my open pores drink it in. Then I get out and dry with a towel like normal. Itching is gone and I’ve had compliments about how smooth my skin feels! (Jason brand, it can be bought on line in the US and I find it in some of my grocery stores.) even my stomach was itching before I started this. Elaine

[Bishtown in reply to Red71]

Thank you...will look for this too...getting desperate here.

[Fighteragain18]

I’m on round 10 no itching yet just the horrendous hot sweats, saying that I’m on holiday in turkey at the mo ( living my life ) and it is always hot

Scalp thinning a little n sore feet first thing in the morning but I’ve just had Reflexology and it felt amazing to release tension so that is me booking in for weekly ones

I’m going these drugs keep working for many year, are you too! Xxx

[Bishtown in reply to Fighteragain18]

I sympathize with the hot sweats! I have water dripping off my nose and down into my eyes when temp hits 80 degrees. So frustrating! Hate to have to dress up to go anywhere because of how the sweats hit me. If the meds are working, I guess we can live with the side effects.

[SpongebobMom]

I am in chemical menopause & my skin is FREAKING out. I have never had dry skin in my entire life, so this dryness is all new to me.

I do though have oily skin so finding the balance is tricky. I was pilling on the face moisturizer but now I have clogged pores...I know, first world problems.

that Neutrogena hydrotherapy body lotions helps with my body, still figuring out my face. argon oil seems to be okay.

my scalp has been itchy & dry...been using CHI black seed oil s&c & that has helped immensely.

[AuntyJane]

I am on round 1 and have very small bumps along inside of my hand from my thumb to my wrist. Can’t see it but my hands are red and it’s so itchy. Dr prescribed a cream but it’s not really helping! I also have lymphedema in my right arm and had cellulitis (bacterial infection) couple times so I have to use antibacterial soap, lotion and constantly wash my hands. So it’s already dry and now this!

[Lilykristymichael]

Actually I had terrible itching before Ibrance. After a week or two on it, my itching is completely gone. Go figure.

[Libra48]

Hi there... I have very itchy skin too! I’ve been on Ibrance/Letrozole since March. When I was diagnosed I looked into more natural products for my skin and hair. I purchased some products from Beekman 1802. The products are made from goat milk. They are usually featured on QVC and HSN. They have tons of products. Check it out.

[Arizonas]

Yes, dry skin arms, legs, feet and itchy. If I scratch I get hive like lumps under my skin.

[laurac1014]

get on e of those nice telescoping back scratchers !

[Bishtown in reply to laurac1014]

😁😁😁...got one...my husband!

[morty87]

I noticed the same but I was at the beginning of my journey with Ibrance. I have learned that a daily Claritin helps with itching and nausea. It has become a part of my routine. Good luck!

[Bishtown in reply to morty87]

I take loratadine daily...the generic of Claritin. Not doing anything for me. Did not have the itching until the last couple months. Been on Ibrance for 14 months. These pills seem to be hitting us all differently. Frustrating, but I hate to complain. It seems to be working on my cancer

[Autumn56 in reply to morty87]

Did you notice on Canceractive that women who took Claritin survived way longer then those who did not? Patrick Quillan writes in his book Beating Cancer with Nutrition that to a cancer histamine is food. If I remember correctly he was recommending quercetin and bromelain which are natural anti-histamines.

[Lcranaudo]

I bought a Magnesium spray and spray on my back where I go crazy scratching and it works...it stops the itching....give it a try...if not at the pharmacy order on line

[Autumn56 in reply to Lcranaudo]

Piping rock has magnesium spray at good price. It makes me itch.

[Bishtown]

Never heard of a magnesium spray, but will definitely be looking it up. Thank you!

[Hidden]

My head and neck have been itching like crazy the past few days. I tried the ginger shampoo from The Body Shop But it isn’t helping. I covered my head with aloe Vera gel and it helps but makes everything sticky and I can’t go out looking like Medusa. I took Benedryl which helpedthe itch but made me dopey. Can’t win

[Euebdbdbddh]

Hi I developed a very itchy skin a few months ago , I started drinking plenty of water again and slowly it settled down , also applying lots of body cream all over my body xxx

[Francesca10]

Hi

Just finished reading all these posts trying to catch up. Just a word of caution here- I was itchy a few months into ibrance- then a rash here n there- then hives on my belly. Went to an allergist- he said it was the faslodex. My Pcp said the ibrance was the cause. The oncologist kept me in it because I was given steroids and antihistamines to take before the faslodex shots. I developed sciatica last month after the injections but was still in ibrance. No faslodex this month. Again four days after ibrance cycle finished a full body rash came out. Back on steroids now and treatment suspended.

I just want to raise awareness about this.

Thank you all for being here

♥️Frances