We are almost 5 weeks post-radiation and chemo. A few days ago my husband started having a skin situation on his face. I don't know how to describe it except to say it looks like a little like acne or small blisters. So far nothing is oozy and it almost seem to come and go. Today, I noticed one of the places almost looks like it is swollen or having a pocket of fluid under the skin. I looked at some pictures online of post radiation skin complications and honestly nothing looked exactly right. Anyone have this happen? We don't see anyone on our medical team until June 5th.

Is this the first your husband has had any sores in the area that was radiated? During rads did he have a "sunburned" area? I had many sores on my neck from rads. I remember for me, the sunburn started after a few weeks into rads. At first my skin looked a little red but by the end of rads, the red area became open oozing sores. It took weeks after finishing rads before my neck healed. What your husband has does not sound anything like what I had, which unfortunately was one of the many side effects from radiation. If you are anywhere around my area (Eastern PA), we've had a heat wave recently its been in the 90s, could it have anything to do with that? I suggest taking him to your family doctor next week. Never know, it could be unrelated to rads? You may want to move up his June 5th appointment if the family doc isnt able to help. Being 5 weeks post rads, your husband should start feeling a little better without things like this happening.

Keep us posted as to what exactly he has going on.

Good luck!!!

It's not in an area that was the focus of treatment but it is on the side of his chin that was treated. It looks nothing like the skin issues on his neck during treatment. I wasn't concerned the first few days but today it looks different. Thanks for the input.

Just remember your husbands blood counts are probably way off their normal numbers. His white counts are probably pretty low so his resistance even to minor ailments is very low. Most patients have this continue for a considerable time after finishing treatments. Could be any number of things going on.

Another thing during recovery to watch out for is if your husband becomes more tired than usual. At that point, he could be running into issues with his thyroid or testosterone levels.

Im curious to know what he has going on.

ChristineB's suggestion of going to see your family doctor is a very good one. We turned to our family doctor in between visits to the medical oncologist's. He gave us a lot of support -- diagnosed sleep apnea, referred John to a dermatologist, etc. if you can get in to see your GP in a couple of days, that's one quick way to get answers to your questions.

As advised, see your doctor sooner, instead of later. After radiation, my skin was sensitive, basically from the bridge of the nose to the collar bone, where the field of radiation was, so I rarely shaved, plus being no facial hair was growing for quite some time. Other skin products, sun, even foods can cause skin sensitivities after radiation, chemo and with certain medications too.

About 4 months after radiation, I developed shingles (herpes zoster), which is related to the chicken pox, so if you had that, one can be susceptible to it, especially with a lowered immune system, stress. Mine, a painful rash and blisters, started on the stomach, and then side and back. Some get it on the face too. Not saying that's what it is, but in such cases, it's best to treat it as soon as possible.

I hope your husband feels better!

Biopsy and culture tomorrow. Considered shingles but he has zero pain. Hopefully, we will know soon.

I guess we are the lucky winners of two simultaneous skin issues: Radiation dermatitis, which is common just unexpected that is it happening so far out of the primary treatment area, and an outbreak of shingles at the same time in a different area of the neck. Started meds. He has had shingles before and the vaccine so they said to expect a less severe case. We were relieved and caught the shingles in the window when meds are most effective.

Oh no!!!! Shingles can be awful. Ive seen quite a few OC patients have shingles after their treatments. I guess its from their resistance being so low they are much more susceptible. Your husband is very lucky to have got this taken care of so quickly while he will benefit from meds.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery of the 2 newest problems.

My husband had shingles too. When he went for his consultation with the MO, the doctors talked to him at the doorway, and after we left, the room had to be sterilized! The same happened when we went across the street to another hospital to have a consultation with the anaesthesiologist for a procedure. All the staff came in wearing masks, gloves and gowns. I was told that shingles could be really contagious, and patients in a hospital become really susceptible. No one told me to gown up and I didn't catch it.

I wonder if there is a correlation between OC and Shingles. (Not necessarily Shingles as result from radiation therapy.)

Curious because I had a bout with Shingles about halfway between my two cancer diagnosis. Probably just a coincidence.....

Anyway - Good Luck with your husband's continued recovery

I think shingles may have to do with the lower resistance that cancer patients who have undergone chemo and rads have.