Lotions for itching?
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Lotions for itching?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Lotions for itching?

  • Post
    • October 29, 2015 at 11:49 pm
    Christine.P
    Participant

    Many people have posted here about the rash and itching that comes from the Opdivo/Yervoy treatment. Any advice on brands of lotions and soap/body wash that can help?  I start my treatment Monday and would like to have a few remedies in place in case I need something to tide me over until the docs can get me a prescription, etc. 

    Any other tips on side effect relief will be greatly appreciated as well…

    Thank you!

     

Viewing 17 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 30, 2015 at 1:54 pm
      Sbdeutsch
      Participant

      My boyfriend just started the trail and they recommended to start using Eucerin once to twice a day on his chest and back to help prior to any rash showing up. 

      • October 30, 2015 at 1:54 pm
      Sbdeutsch
      Participant

      My boyfriend just started the trail and they recommended to start using Eucerin once to twice a day on his chest and back to help prior to any rash showing up. 

      • October 30, 2015 at 1:54 pm
      Sbdeutsch
      Participant

      My boyfriend just started the trail and they recommended to start using Eucerin once to twice a day on his chest and back to help prior to any rash showing up. 

      • October 30, 2015 at 6:11 pm
      momof4boys
      Participant
      Sarna lotion and taking a 5mg tab of benadryl before bed helped. I ended up switching to a prescription, something similar to benadryl I think but that helped as well.
      • October 30, 2015 at 6:11 pm
      momof4boys
      Participant
      Sarna lotion and taking a 5mg tab of benadryl before bed helped. I ended up switching to a prescription, something similar to benadryl I think but that helped as well.
      • October 30, 2015 at 6:11 pm
      momof4boys
      Participant
      Sarna lotion and taking a 5mg tab of benadryl before bed helped. I ended up switching to a prescription, something similar to benadryl I think but that helped as well.
      • October 31, 2015 at 6:19 am
      AshleyS
      Participant

      I never really found a lotion that worked BUT I did (and still do) take Zyrtec daily. I tried stopping a few months into the Nivo portion and I broke out right away. As long as I take it, I'm good. 

        • October 31, 2015 at 5:34 pm
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Thanks, everyone. 

        Ashley – is there something special about Zyrtec or would any allergy medicine work? 

        • October 31, 2015 at 5:34 pm
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Thanks, everyone. 

        Ashley – is there something special about Zyrtec or would any allergy medicine work? 

        • October 31, 2015 at 5:34 pm
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Thanks, everyone. 

        Ashley – is there something special about Zyrtec or would any allergy medicine work? 

      • October 31, 2015 at 6:19 am
      AshleyS
      Participant

      I never really found a lotion that worked BUT I did (and still do) take Zyrtec daily. I tried stopping a few months into the Nivo portion and I broke out right away. As long as I take it, I'm good. 

      • October 31, 2015 at 6:19 am
      AshleyS
      Participant

      I never really found a lotion that worked BUT I did (and still do) take Zyrtec daily. I tried stopping a few months into the Nivo portion and I broke out right away. As long as I take it, I'm good. 

      • November 1, 2015 at 2:12 am
      mrsaxde
      Participant

      My dermatologist gave me a topical steroid foam called Clobetasol. It works pretty well. I wish I had tried it before spending 5 months on prednisone. He gave it to me following my ipi treatment due to some residual rash. It might not work on a severe rash/itching, but it's not too expensive. Might be worth asking about.

      • November 1, 2015 at 2:12 am
      mrsaxde
      Participant

      My dermatologist gave me a topical steroid foam called Clobetasol. It works pretty well. I wish I had tried it before spending 5 months on prednisone. He gave it to me following my ipi treatment due to some residual rash. It might not work on a severe rash/itching, but it's not too expensive. Might be worth asking about.

      • November 1, 2015 at 2:12 am
      mrsaxde
      Participant

      My dermatologist gave me a topical steroid foam called Clobetasol. It works pretty well. I wish I had tried it before spending 5 months on prednisone. He gave it to me following my ipi treatment due to some residual rash. It might not work on a severe rash/itching, but it's not too expensive. Might be worth asking about.

      • November 2, 2015 at 1:55 pm
      JuTMSY4
      Participant

      I've tried all of these.  Just a quick update of my experience.  I'm about 11 Keytruda infusions in and stable with relatively small burden.  I've had dry skin/hand issues for years and Keytruda exacerbated that.  

      Zyrtec, Allegra, etc – These seem to help a little, but all made me drowsy.  YMMV, but I quit only days after use because of how I couldn't function

      Clobatasol – Very good, but only in short bursts.  Will thin skin and my derm advised only limited use.  Is Rx, so follow doctor's orders.  

      Eucerin – best stuff out there in terms of daily/regular moisturizer.  I use religiously during the day.

      Gloves/socks – I have dry/scaly palms and soles of feet.  A good greasy (yes, greasy) moisturizer plus gloves is great for overnight.

      One not mentioned yet was ammonium lactate cream.  Great for scaly skin and itching.  DO NOT use if you have a crack or an open cut of any kind.  It will burn and is painful (not horrible, but not fun for about 5-10 minutes).  Greasy, but great on areas of your body which you don't use regularly (e.g. not hands).  Very good at calming itching.  

      • November 2, 2015 at 1:55 pm
      JuTMSY4
      Participant

      I've tried all of these.  Just a quick update of my experience.  I'm about 11 Keytruda infusions in and stable with relatively small burden.  I've had dry skin/hand issues for years and Keytruda exacerbated that.  

      Zyrtec, Allegra, etc – These seem to help a little, but all made me drowsy.  YMMV, but I quit only days after use because of how I couldn't function

      Clobatasol – Very good, but only in short bursts.  Will thin skin and my derm advised only limited use.  Is Rx, so follow doctor's orders.  

      Eucerin – best stuff out there in terms of daily/regular moisturizer.  I use religiously during the day.

      Gloves/socks – I have dry/scaly palms and soles of feet.  A good greasy (yes, greasy) moisturizer plus gloves is great for overnight.

      One not mentioned yet was ammonium lactate cream.  Great for scaly skin and itching.  DO NOT use if you have a crack or an open cut of any kind.  It will burn and is painful (not horrible, but not fun for about 5-10 minutes).  Greasy, but great on areas of your body which you don't use regularly (e.g. not hands).  Very good at calming itching.  

      • November 2, 2015 at 1:55 pm
      JuTMSY4
      Participant

      I've tried all of these.  Just a quick update of my experience.  I'm about 11 Keytruda infusions in and stable with relatively small burden.  I've had dry skin/hand issues for years and Keytruda exacerbated that.  

      Zyrtec, Allegra, etc – These seem to help a little, but all made me drowsy.  YMMV, but I quit only days after use because of how I couldn't function

      Clobatasol – Very good, but only in short bursts.  Will thin skin and my derm advised only limited use.  Is Rx, so follow doctor's orders.  

      Eucerin – best stuff out there in terms of daily/regular moisturizer.  I use religiously during the day.

      Gloves/socks – I have dry/scaly palms and soles of feet.  A good greasy (yes, greasy) moisturizer plus gloves is great for overnight.

      One not mentioned yet was ammonium lactate cream.  Great for scaly skin and itching.  DO NOT use if you have a crack or an open cut of any kind.  It will burn and is painful (not horrible, but not fun for about 5-10 minutes).  Greasy, but great on areas of your body which you don't use regularly (e.g. not hands).  Very good at calming itching.  

      • November 2, 2015 at 2:48 pm
      sweetaugust
      Participant

      I have been on Keytruda/Pembro for 3 years now.  The first year I had a horrible itching rash on my chest, and the 2nd year I had it on the back of my scalp.  It was awful.  It hurt, burned and itched non-stop.  That is until I found the answer for me.

      For me, I choose things that are on the more natural side…to keep the chemical burden low on my body and skin.  What finally worked for me was dabbing on a few drops of Tea Tree Oil and buying some Natures Gate Colloidal Oatmeal lotion.  I have recommended it for others on this site and I have also recommended it to others undergoing chemo for breast cancer and each person who tried it has been so thankful for the recommendation as it was the first thing that finally worked.  For me, I haven't had a rash since.

      Best of luck, Laurie

      • November 2, 2015 at 2:48 pm
      sweetaugust
      Participant

      I have been on Keytruda/Pembro for 3 years now.  The first year I had a horrible itching rash on my chest, and the 2nd year I had it on the back of my scalp.  It was awful.  It hurt, burned and itched non-stop.  That is until I found the answer for me.

      For me, I choose things that are on the more natural side…to keep the chemical burden low on my body and skin.  What finally worked for me was dabbing on a few drops of Tea Tree Oil and buying some Natures Gate Colloidal Oatmeal lotion.  I have recommended it for others on this site and I have also recommended it to others undergoing chemo for breast cancer and each person who tried it has been so thankful for the recommendation as it was the first thing that finally worked.  For me, I haven't had a rash since.

      Best of luck, Laurie

      • November 2, 2015 at 2:48 pm
      sweetaugust
      Participant

      I have been on Keytruda/Pembro for 3 years now.  The first year I had a horrible itching rash on my chest, and the 2nd year I had it on the back of my scalp.  It was awful.  It hurt, burned and itched non-stop.  That is until I found the answer for me.

      For me, I choose things that are on the more natural side…to keep the chemical burden low on my body and skin.  What finally worked for me was dabbing on a few drops of Tea Tree Oil and buying some Natures Gate Colloidal Oatmeal lotion.  I have recommended it for others on this site and I have also recommended it to others undergoing chemo for breast cancer and each person who tried it has been so thankful for the recommendation as it was the first thing that finally worked.  For me, I haven't had a rash since.

      Best of luck, Laurie

        • November 3, 2015 at 12:35 am
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Many thanks to all of you for your recommendations. I now have several options and know better what to ask my doctor for if the OTC remedies don't help. You are all a blessing.

        Chrisitne

        • November 3, 2015 at 12:35 am
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Many thanks to all of you for your recommendations. I now have several options and know better what to ask my doctor for if the OTC remedies don't help. You are all a blessing.

        Chrisitne

        • November 3, 2015 at 12:35 am
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Many thanks to all of you for your recommendations. I now have several options and know better what to ask my doctor for if the OTC remedies don't help. You are all a blessing.

        Chrisitne

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