My brother just completed one week combination chemo and rad and one week of just radiation. His neck has blisters and itches alot. He also has blisters on his scalp. He's using the hydrocortisone cream 1% on the neck. He was wondering if its ok to just rub it into his scalp. Any other suggestions for the itching? I sent him some Aquaphor cream to put on his neck. At radiation they told him if he uses it he should make sure he washes it all off before treatment. Now he thinks maybe he shouldn't use it. He's having nose bleeds on occasion and the salivary glands are already slowing down. Just got the peg tube so he's been learning how to use that.

I don't quite understand the blisters on the scalp - is he having a reaction to pain meds?

Sone have some reaction from mild sunburn to open sores where the radiation entry points are but not the scalp. Scratching is not a good idea (it can introduce infections). They gave me a steroidal cream for that. He should use something on the neck burns between treatments - just make sure the skin is clean and dry prior to actually receiving a radiation treatment.

I have nosebleeds constantly from the dry weather, and have had them for years. If this is something new since treatment he needs to bring it up with the ENT.

It's all happening kind of quick. I didn't start reacting to radiation until 2-3 weeks out.

I'm guessing the blisters on the scalp must be a reaction to the chemo. It sounds like he's had a pretty strong reaction to be having blisters at one week in. I don't see why a hydrocortisone cream wouldn't work on the scalp as well. And yes, he should definitely stay out of the sun right now!

For my nose I used an over the counter saline nose spray to help keep it moist as I also had some reaction there at the bottom of the nose.

I wish your brother the best.

Nelie

He'll be starting his third week of radiation tomorrow. I'll tell to go ahead and use the Aquaphor between radiation treatments but to wash it off before treatment. I'll mention he should tell them tomorrow about sores on scalp and to ask if it might be a reaction to meds.

Poor guy has had a rought start. 32 teeth pulled, infection from that, in emergency room because he only had vicodin for pain after all the extractions, a week later more grinding off of jaw bone, dentist said he wouldn't need ANY pain medication from that, of course he did, had reaction to the dye use in CAT scan, couldn't put in the PEG tube the first time, port started shooting blood in the middle of the night, another visit to emergency room, sent his meds to Chicago one time (he lives in Michigan! and this is a CCC. Just a series of bad luck. Sad part is he's just getting going. We know the worst is yet to come. He's really working to keep a good attitude.

Smitty, tell your brother that although the worst may be yet to come, to look at what he has already gotten through as an accomplishment! He got through yesterday, and so he will get through today, and so on until he is looking back at his last treatment.

Best wishes to your brother.

Michele

Y'know, it is the things that they tell you aren't supposed to happen but happen anyway that can really throw you. Thing is, I haven't met one cancer survivor that doesn't have a story to tell about *something* that falls in that category. Still, your brother has had more than his fair share! I know things won't get better in terms of how he's feeling for a while but I hope things go smoothly and without unexpected complications from here on in.......

Nelie

Smitty,
I don't know what chemo he is taking but my Dad had blister like sores in his scalp as well. He was taking Erbitux and they said that is what caused it. He had these even three weeks after chemo was over. The suggested using a over the counter shampoo - I can't remember the name but I think it was something like serum blue, basically it dried them up. They also gave him an antibiotic for the acne rash that he had all over his face and neck and scalp from the Erbitux. Tell him to hang in there - this is a rough treatment but taking it one day at a time like Michele said is very good advice. Look at each day as an accomplishment and don't get too far ahead of yourself.
God bless
Kim

Thanks everyone. I talked with my brother and he thinks the blisters in his hair showed up shortly after they changed his anxiety medication. He said using a baby shampoo sure made the blisters feel better, at least for a few hours. If it wasn't for your help I don't think we would have made the connection so thanks alot.