Re: Dealing With Skin Conditions

[Guest guest]

Charlie, I would go to a dermatologist and have it

cultured....could be some sort of pathogen, bacterial or

otherwise. Or maybe something else entirely. There are

many, many conditions that can cause your symptoms, anything

from an allergic condition to something more serious. An

experienced dermatologist, someone who's been a

dermatologist for a long, long time, has probably seen this

before and will know what to do. If you've already seen a

dermatologist, what did he/she say? If the explanation

wasn't sufficient, try another doctor. You can find a good

local dermatologist by going to vitals.com or ratemds.com.

Ellen

[Guest guest]

I have started breaking out with little tiny " bumps " since

early spring. You cannot see them as they are either the

same color as my skin or have no color. They don't itch or

hurt but when I run my hand over the areas that have them I

feel like a lizard! ha ha. The areas are in unexposed

areas like my stomach, breast area, etc. I thought maybe it

was due to heat and haven't been concerned but it is the

first time I have ever had this.

Should I bring this up to my oncologist? Anyone else have

that? Seriously, you cannot tell they are there unless you

run your hand across the area.

Joyce

[Guest guest]

Hi, I too have the dry skin and itching. I was in treatment

with R & B and after 4th treatment, I started itching

horribly. One of my oncologists thought it was folliculitis

and a reaching to the chemo. I have now gotten the

medication of flucinolone and a couple of others for the

scalp as it was really bad. This has helped some, but I

still itch and scratch alot. I will be seeing the

dermatologist again but I feel like this is something that

is going to be with me for awhile. I too use gentle soap

and lotions, one called Sarna that helps better than others.

I read an article on Dr Hamblin's Posts regarding itching. I

think this hot weather doesn't help it any.

Regards

MJ

Florida

[Guest guest]

Charlie - for those of us with CLL, periodic visits to a

good dermatologist should be a regular part of our ongoing

CLL healthcare.

Folks with CLL have a higher percentage of skin cancer than

the normal population. We need to be proactive and get a

body check by a dermatologist 1-2 times per year. There is a

ton of data on this (see CLL Topics or CLL Canada websites).

A visit to a dermatologist might be something for you to

consider. Your hematologist/oncologist should be able to

recommend someone.

Good luck - Patti

[Guest guest]

Joyce,

I recognize the symptoms you describe and as the others

suggested-please get to a dermatologist. If the expert

agrees, you may be diagnosed as having Plaque Psoriasis-

as I was just before my CLL was discovered.

I responded to Charlie with a direct email, but since you

asked a question closer to my condition- I am pasting the

text of my email to Charlie here:

Charlie,

About 6 months before I was diagnosed with CLL I developed

Plaque Psoriasis, and it creates rough tough reddish areas

on my skin like sand paper or heavy rough calluses, in other

places the plaques are like skin colored barnacles a that

shed extra skin cells when scraped. I tried to connect the

dots to CLL and two local Hemo/Onc and one Dermo all

dismissed it as having no connections.

But as my CLL progressed and my immune system got

compromised, the Psoriasis nearly disappeared. When I got

successful treatment 2X with Rituxan the Psoriasis came

roaring back 2x. (I'm Trisomy 12, so Rituxan monotherapy

works great for me). In simplified laymen's terms -

Psoriasis is thought to be a overreaction of the immune

system attacking and causing too many skin cells to be

produced.

So the local docs were wrong- I don't even ask anymore- and

several folks in the CLL group have commented on treatment

that is successful causes their skin to either get much

better or much worse. When I saw Dr. Furman, he explained it

very simply- CLL and treatment of CLL cause the balance

between B cells and T cells to get way out of balance- so

the immune system can do crazy things. He was not surprised

that some of us get better and some get worse skin when we

get treatment.

My Dermo prescribed Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream 0.1% which

I understand to be a immune suppressant like Hydro

Cortisone. I use is sparingly (10%-20% of my body a few

times per week) since if I cover too much I can depress my

immune system and contract some really nasty bugs. Check the

link below my signature for product information.

Regards

Len Keck

Triamcinolone Acetonide

Product Information In Simple Language

http://triamcinoloneacetonide.org/