Itchy forehead

[KMBL_]

I’m just curious if anyone has had any reaction like this because of the medication. My forehead has been broken out for quite a few months, and it’s also on both sides of my nose. It was coming and going, but now it’s getting really bad and itches like crazy. I’m on Ibrance and Letrozole. I have no idea if a med is causing this or something else. I don’t want anyone to think I’m asking for a diagnosis. I’m just trying to see if anyone else has had this happen. I will let my doc know at my next visit and see what she says.

[Hidden]

Hi KMBL_,

I've never had any sort of reaction ( I was on that treatment for a few years) but I would suggest that you contact your doc before your appointment...with pics...unless your appointment is, like, on Monday.

It could be an allergic reaction and allergies scare me...I had (have?) several severe food and drug allergies and they're easy to dismiss but can actually become very serious, very quickly.

Good luck with it! Please do take it seriously!

Take care,

Lynn

[KMBL_ in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. My appointment isn’t until May 4th. It’s just so odd how it’s gotten worse. I was off Ibrance for two weeks this time, and it didn’t get any better. Of course, I’ve been on Letrozole since June of last year. I’ll call on Monday. I also switched hair shampoo, so I’m going to try to use a different one for a few days. For the longest time I just had really dry skin and flaking in the same spot. Now it’s turned into this. I won’t wait. I’ll call to see what they say.

[Blondslovelife]

Yes!! I have it on both of my legs & have had it since Nov./Dec. I went off Ibrance the end of Dec. & have been on Letrozole for a year. Benedryl helps with the itch. I have tried several rash creams. The one with vit A, C & E helps me the most. This week it appeared on my right arm & right shoulder. I also have taken a soak, for 10 min. in a disinfectant bath. I hopefully will see my Dr on May 5, hopefully!

[KMBL_ in reply to Blondslovelife]

Thank you for replying. It’s strange, isn’t it? I’ll ask about creams. Was it your oncologist or a dermatologist that you saw for it?

[Hidden in reply to KMBL_]

As I Mentioned and like "Blondeslovelife", I also got it on my legs (my lower legs but right in the center. My onco told me to see a dermatologist but I never did go only because I was just so tired of going to doctors. I have now had it for several months and constantly put moisturizer on it and within minutes, literally minutes, it is bone dry again.

[Blondslovelife in reply to KMBL_]

I'm going to be seeing my regular Dr. first & then my onc on Fri the 8. The disenfectent soaks have really helped.

[Julie2233]

I had very similar on my face. I was told it was rosacea and was given an antibiotic gel which dealt with it. Though it does come back.

The meds make my skin more sensitive and rosacea is quite a common condition. The skin tends to be red and inflamed and feels rough. I believe it’s related to acne.

[KMBL_ in reply to Julie2233]

Thank you, Julie2233. I’ll ask you the same question. Did you go to a dermatologist or your oncologist helped you?

[Julie2233 in reply to KMBL_]

My general doctor (gp) was able to prescribe the gel. It's actually quite a common condition as we get older and you don't have to be on our type of drugs to get it. No one really seems to know why some people get it and others don't but the drugs we take does make our skin more sensitive.

[Hidden]

Could be the Letrozole. I’m on the same treatment and have an itchy scalp and strangely enough underarm irritation but nothing like you have. Take care

[KMBL_]

Thank you. It’s just recently become

extremely itchy. It’s so weird. It was just really dry and scaly for the longest time.

[Hidden]

Oh my, that must be so frustrating. Mine, on my lower legs, started out as the size of a dime and it seemed during the night, it would increase. It is now the size of a fist, very red, very scaly and very very itchy. It has now been several months and still there even when I switched from Ibrance to Verzenio.

They do not hurt, although very itchy and I have hard them for months now. No matter how much moisturizer I put on, I also have severe dryness of my feet and they are bright red.

But I did get the rash on my lower leg and I have now had it for months and I am quite upset bc of how large it is and unattractive (I know with all this going on, that should be the least of my worries), but I will NEVER wear shorts again or a BATHING SUIT because of how visible it is.

With you maybe its just a reaction to the meds and once your body adjusts, it may go away. I certainly hope so. Has your onco told you that she believes it may be from medication?

[KMBL_ in reply to Hidden]

I’m so sorry that you have that on your leg. I hardly ever wear shorts. I’ve been on the meds almost a year. That’s why I’m leaning towards it not having to do with them. I have seen where people have had reactions if they switch manufacturers, but I have no idea if mine has switched. I don’t remember who it was when I started. Thank you for your reply.

[Hidden]

My scalp itches like crazy from my Ibrance but there is no rash. Yours could be an allergic reaction and should be seen quickly. IMO.

[KMBL_ in reply to Hidden]

That’s got to drive you nuts. I’ll be calling tomorrow. Thank you.

[Quiltersue]

Not sure if you’ve been in the sun, but I was taking one drug a few years ago that gave me quite a burned type reaction. Lots of scars still. Needed a cream to clear it up- worth a calll rather than waiting til next Appt. Protect arms too. !

[KMBL_ in reply to Quiltersue]

I do go in the sun just to get some vitamin D but not very long at all. More than five minutes or so, I’m sweating. I sit in the shade most of the time. I will be calling tomorrow. Thank you for your reply.

[Teddielottie in reply to KMBL_]

It is good to get twenty minutes of sun each day on any exposed skin for vitamin D , but wear some sun protection ( and make sure it’s one your skin type can tolerate eg for sensitive and dermalogical , as any new creams or cleansers or soaps used can also cause irritations) . Have you used a new product on that area eg ., a sun protection cream ? Ibrance can make our skin more sensitive, both to products we use and the sun ! x

[KMBL_ in reply to Teddielottie]

I’ll have to get some sunscreen for my face. No, I haven’t used anything new on my face.

[Teddielottie in reply to KMBL_]

For my face the sunscreen I use is ’‘Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced” hypoallergenic and no fragrance . It says it’s for greasy and acne prone skin and is especially for the face , or any similar product . x

[KMBL_ in reply to Teddielottie]

Thank you. I’ll look it up. Much appreciated.

[BuoyantCat]

I have been taking just Letrozole for 3 years without any problems. My best guess it is from the IBrance

[KMBL_ in reply to BuoyantCat]

That’s what I’m not sure about. I was off the Ibrance for two weeks this time, and the rash has been there whether I’m on it or off.

[Maludagui]

Hi, the same thing happened to me on my cheeks in December. It just happened that I had a lot of financial stress with the payment of my bills and that caused my immune system values ​​to drop. The oncologist made me take 2 weeks off the ibrance and prescribed a rosacea ointment. At one point in those two weeks I saw that there was no improvement, I was so desperate that I applied the EUCERIN cream for delicate skin that had been sent to me when I had radiation therapy. I immediately saw an improvement. I used it for a week and also tried to channel my stress and it took off completely. My blood values ​​also went up. I'm not sure but I think that stress caused everything. A hug. I am on Ibrance , Letrozole, Xgeva, Zoladex Por 18 meses.

[KMBL_ in reply to Maludagui]

I’ll ask if I can use Eucerin. I haven’t really had any stress. I work from home, and nothing in my routine has changed since the pandemic craziness began. I have had the dryness on that area for quite a long time and my skin would flake off. It’s just recently that it started to get bumps and itch like mad. Thank you for your reply.

[Mimigram]

Hi

I have not had that type of reaction. You should have a dermatologist check it. Maybe stop Ibrance and see if it goes away. If not restart and stop Letrozole. Both drugs I know can have different side effects for each person. Ibrance messed with my hair and fingernails.

[KMBL_ in reply to Mimigram]

I will definitely talk with my oncologist and see if they can recommend a dermatologist. I would like one who would see me online right now so I don’t need to go into their office.

[KMBL_]

Thank you all for your responses. I hope I didn’t miss anyone in my replies. I will keep you posted on what or if anything helps. I got some calamine lotion today just to help with the itching and have kept my hair away from my forehead. I appreciate you all taking the time to respond. Happy Easter.

[Teddielottie]

Rashes occur in 10 percent of ibrance patients and I’ve had them ! Mention it to your onc ...but some suggestions in the meantime are:- to increase your water intake , be careful out in the sun ...wear high factor sensitive sun lotion on your forehead ( or wear a baseball cap) , only use products for sensitive skin ( no fragrance/ no alcohol / hypoallergenic ) such as cleansers and moisturisers on your forehead / rash . If itching badly antihistamines might help , but be careful not to scratch as could get infected ( cut nails short) . I too like the Eucerin advanced repair cream and use it on dry skin , including on my forehead . I have used Dermacool , which has menthol in it , to soothe a previous rash around my middle ( not to be used on the face though ) . The good news is it cleared up ! Take care! x

[KMBL_ in reply to Teddielottie]

I’ve been so good about not scratching it. It has taken a lot, but I definitely do not want it to get infected. Are you saying that it is okay to use the Eucerin advanced repair cream on my face? It says it’s a full body cream but doesn’t mention the face.

[Teddielottie]

I have used the cream on my forehead , but not on my face as I use a face moisturiser for my sensitive skin . Maybe do a patch test to see if you have any irritation , and always avoid contact with the eyes . It is fragrance , dye and paraben free and a dermatologist recommended brand . My tub just says “ Advanced repair cream for very dry skin”, no mention of body or face . I also use the Eucerin advanced repair lotion (dispenser) on my dry fingers . x

[KMBL_ in reply to Teddielottie]

Great. Thank you.

[Teddielottie in reply to KMBL_]

Also to soothe the itching you could use a cold compress ...such as an ice pack wrapped in a cotton tea towel or a cold wet flannel . And avoid heat/ hot water on the forehead . Calomine lotion might help soothe the itch . I hope it soon eases but do let your onc or doctor know if it continues . X

[Red71]

When I was first diagnosed I had just come home from Maui and I had what I thought was athletes foot from my visit there. It finally went away but comes back every now and then on top of my feet, not between my toes. It itches like crazy and if I don’t treat it it blisters. If I catch it at the first itch and put OTC cortisone cream on it morning and evening, it usually goes away in about 3 days. My oncologist didn’t know what it was and recommended a dermatologist who I’ve never seen because it goes away with my treatment before I can get an appointment. It takes about 6 weeks to get into see a dermatologist here on the west coast. They don’t have emergency appointments!

Elaine