I have my last rad tomorrow - I'm so glad.Had last Erbitux last Fri.. Can anyone tell me what I can use on this lovely rash that covers my nostrils, upper lip, and my right cheek. The rad techs said to use "Whatever works for you." I'm currently using Bag Balm and Neosporin, but if anyone has anything better, I'd sure appreciate it.
It sure is great to emerge from that tunnel.
Let the healing begin!!!!!!!!!!
Sue

Sue,

Congrats on finishing the Rad but don't be too disappointed if you continue to feel the effects of the rad for another 2 to 3 weeks. Most of us did.

I can't help you on the rash because I never had one. I am not fair skinned so I really didn't suffer on the outside.

Have you talked to your MO? I didn't have any effects on my face except where the radiation field actually penetrated. This sounds more like a reaction to the Erbitux which is quite common.

They gave me a steroidal cream for the radiation burns - mainly because of the itching part, which controlled it right away (you do NOT want to scratch it!).

Glad you're finishing your series. It's really nice to be done with that!!

The nurses gave me samples of Aquaphor, by
Eucerin, for topical application (also good for other kinds of burns and irritated skin later on).

Later on, when I had red spots that were different, I went to a Derma-Doc and she pronounced that as rosecea, which I have dubbed The Curse of the Celts (W.C. Fields had a bad case of it).

PS On the bright side of all this is that you won't have to shave your face

Dear Sue, my hubby has been on Erbitux since last July. Here is what we have tried for the rash- you need to run this by your Doc first. #1. Benedryl [ didn't work for us because John is allergic to it]
#2. Head and Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo used as a body wash in the shower- DOES help dry it out.
#3.A strong Aloe Vera based lotion applied to the skin.
#4, An antibiotic[must be prescribed by your Doc] to combat the allergic reaction]
My husband has been on Erbitux so long that he has the rash all over his body. I think yours will go away when the treatment stops. In the meantime, keep you skin well lubricated- drink LOTS of water- and apply lots of a good skin lotion. By the way- pat your skin dry- don't rub- be very gentle. Amy in the Ozarks

MY BOYFRIEND HAS HAD HIS LOADING DOSE OF Erbitux AND REGULAR DOSE LAST THURSDAY. HE WILL GET Erbitux AND CISPLATIN ALONG WITH RADIATION F EVERY WEEK FOR THE NEXT 7 WEEKS FOR SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN THE RIGHT LYMPH NODE WITH RIGHT TONSIL AREA AS PRIMARY. HIS NOSE IF VERY SWOLLEN . RED AND RAW WITH PUS PIMLES COVERING THE ENTIRE NOSE . HIS NOSE LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO EXPLODE! WHAT CAN I DO FOR HIM? IS THIS NORMAL REACTION? GAVE HIM CLARITAN "HIVE RELIEF FOR ITCHY SCAPL--HELPS A LITTLE. ANY INPUT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS, JAYANN JALPP@AOL.COM

JayAnn, the Erbitux rash is very hard to control. Do you know if they are giving him Benedryl or anything else right before they start the Erb. infusion? Ask about that. My only other suggestions are in the post above. The good news is that it will go away after the tx. is done. Having to deal with the rash and radiation at the same time must be really tough.Push his Docs for some help. Amy in the Ozarks

THANKS AMY, YES THEY GIVE HIM BENEDRYL BEFORE Erbitux. I AM GOING TO PUSH THE DOCTORS TOMORROW --BIG TIME BECAUSE GEORGE IS TALKING ABOUT STOPPING TREATMENT AND I HAVE SPENT THE ENTIRE WEEKEND TALKING HIM OUT OF IT. ABOUT AN HOUR AGO HE STOOD UP AND THE WHOLE AREA OF HIS NOSE JUST STARTED TO BLEED. I USED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND THEN NEOSPORIN W/ PAIN RELIEF HOPING TO NOT GET AN INFECTION.THERE IS NO WAY HE CAN GET THAT MASK ON HIS FACE FOR RADIATION WITHOUT HIS NOSE BEING SQUISHED. POOR GUY.

Hope he understands that stoping treatment is not an option, and I know your role of being the cheerleader is a very hard one. We did not have to deal with Erbitux and rad at the same time but I am sure that is causing him extra difficulty. We used the neosporin too- also Lidocaine Plus- but in your case, his face must be absolutely clean before each rad! Remember that the rad techs and the Docs have not gone through this and you do really need to push for help. A in Oz

Hi JALPP,

I was given Erbitux and Cisplatin for 7 treatments over 6 weeks.

As you describe, I got a horrible case of pimples all over my face, chest, and back (and yes, my nose was just a hugh eruption, inside and out). The face pimples were very severe and made the radiation mask very difficult to wear.

I initially used clindamycin (topical antibiotic gel) which I mixed with over-the-counter hydrocortizone cream, which was not very effective. Then I used erythromycin (oral antibiotic, 250 mg I think 2x per day) and prednisone (steroids, 10 mg, 3x per day).

The combination of erythromycin and prednisone was extremely effective for me and largely cleared up the pimples. I still had some, but only a very small number compared to the onslaught that initially covered my face, etc. Using this anti-pimple treatment was a great, great relief for me.

Best wishes,

Chris