How do you deal with sensitive, itchy, rashy skin?
I’ve been on daily oral chemotherapy for 8 years. My skin seems to be getting more and more sensitive. It itches, it rashes, it hates synthetic fibers and burns so easily in the sun.
I’m wondering what other people do to help their skin. I’m running out of creams and lotions and most of them are ineffective anyway.
I've been through creams and dermatologists and allergists for years and not completely finding relief. However, I take Benadryl and certrizine and that helps in the short term. Thank you Susan. I am working with my family doctor now for a referral to a dermatologist. This is definitely not something that is responding well to over the counter remedies. Time to bring in the experts. It's tough in our situation to remedy little things and recognize when they are becoming bigger issues. This was the push I needed. Much appreciated.
Okay, this is going to sound a little crazy, but it did work for me. I was having a terrible itchy patch on my abdomen all winter long. After my hot shower, I started turning on the water as cold as it could get and run it over the itchy area for a minute or more. Yes, it was cold! After doing this daily for a few days, the itch went away and never came back. I actually learned to love cold showers and now end each one with ice-cold water. I realize it was probably dry skin and not caused by my chemo, but I was so happy to get relief. I hope you find answers as well!
I've tried cold compresses for the itching and swelling, so I can see how really cold water might help as well. Thank you for sharing that! I hadn't even thought of it and I'm sure to give it a try 😍
I was finally prescribed Pimecrolimus (Elidel) Cream! It isn't a steroid and the drug works by changing the skin's immune defense and decreasing the allergic reaction that causes eczema. It worked. Slowly, mind you, but i am now rash free 😀
