Nasty rash

Henny · 08-11-2008, 06:55 PM

I had my port out last week, thinking that the bad stuff is behind me and of course trying not to look at anything ahead that may be scary when blam, I got this nasty post surgery rash. I have itchy bumps on my chest, neck, face and 1 arm. I also had welts around the steri strips by the incision. The welts have gone down but my face is a mess. It's hard to go to work looking like I have some horrid 3rd world disease.
Has anyone had anything like this? The surgeon had no idea and was going to call a dermatologist but i haven't heard back from her yet. If anyone has any ideas I would really appreciate it
Thanks so much
Henny

harrie · 08-11-2008, 11:43 PM

The only reaction I ever had was to the tape after surgery. I ended up with red skin and blisters where the tape was. So after that i only used paper tape and eliminated that problem.

Barbara H. · 08-12-2008, 05:34 AM

It sounds as if you had an allerigic reaction to a medicine they used. I would try to figure it out.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

kcherub · 08-12-2008, 06:08 AM

Kathy,

I was going to say "tape", but Harrie beat me to it! Call your surgeon and see if you can use cortisone cream on it until you see the dermatologist. That will at least help with the burning.

Take care,

mts · 08-12-2008, 08:03 AM

Welcome to the world of cancer... like you said, you look forward to healing and BLAM!
I too had a nasty rash ... I get little bumps from tape. There are non-allergy kinds that don't stick so well...
Did you finish your Herceptin ?

I had skin issues on and off while I took Herceptin. A benadryl tablet always did the trick to stop the rash from getting worse. Ointments did not really work. However, ice was fabulous- I had the rash all over my arms and chest and neck and the back of my knees. I would rub ice cubes until they melted. The "freezing" would completely stop the itch and lessen the swelling. I rubbed the ice maybe 10 times a day. I know thats a lot of time and maybe not feasible at work- but you gotta do what you gotta do. I also made sure my nails were cut SHORT so that I could not scratch hard.
I still have one little spot of "elephant skin" that just won't go away- and its been two years since herceptin. The sun also makes it worse... did you have even minimal exposure right before or after the port removal ? I still get red and blotchy (and I used to tan really well)

So your rash may have been from the tape- but with all the stuff you have put in your body- it may be difficult to pin down the real culprit.

Hope you get better soon-

Maria

BonnieR · 08-12-2008, 08:22 AM

Did they inject something prior to the port removal that you could be allergic to? Or maybe it's the tape?
As suggested earlier, Benedryl might offer relief.
Let us know.

Henny · 08-12-2008, 06:05 PM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Benadryl seems to be helping and also the cortisone cream.
I'm thinking maybe it was a reaction to the tape on my arm and on the incision and also to the betadine they painted all over my chest and neck.
I finished Herceptin in June and oddly today my fingers started hurting and cracking again. I guess like Rosanna Danna said "it's always something"
Henny