[quote=Throat CA 704]My next infusion is tomorrow and I'm going to insist on the Decadron or dexamethasone.[/quote]
Decadron and dexamethasone are the same thing. When I was on cetuximab, I took 20 mg the night before each infusion, 20 mg with breakfast the next morning, and then 20 mg IV as a pre-med.

One thing that worked great for me, which was also mentioned above, was Head & Shoulders shampoo. My scalp really itched after my first infusion but I had almost instantaneous relief with the H&S shampoo. After that, I would always spread the lather over my chest, arms, shoulders and back.

My doctor also prescribed 2.5% hydrocortisone cream. You can get the 1% over the counter but it doesn't work as well.

One week I saw a different oncologist, who for some reason prescribed hydroxyzine pamoate for itching I no longer had. Since I didn't need it, I never took any so I can't tell you if it works or not but it's something you could ask you doctor about.

Incidentally, the antibiotics are strictly preventative, to hopefully keep the rash from getting infected. They won't do anything to help you feel better.

And yes, the rash does go away a few months after treatment is over.