Forum Discussion

lady_with_green's avatar
lady_with_green
Member
6 years ago

Paclitaxel & Hot spotty hands, spots on arms and rashy ankles and spots on legs, rash on both knees

Hi Sisters, I looking for advice or tips that may have worked for you. I'm on weekly Paclitaxel and have hot spotty hands since week 2 (have completed 7 of the 12 Paclitaxel), which looks like sunburn. I bought cotton gloves to wear for protection at Priceline. My big toe nails have lifted but not fallen off completely and are manky looking and funky smelling (have tried condy's crystals for toes on my GPs recommendation and what a disaster with stained feet and nails, I've swapped to soaking/washing in a dilution of Dettol and Espsom salts). My feet, ankles and legs have now developed spots and a rashy look. Oncologist didn't say much but recommended cortisone cream for spots and anti fungal treatment for toes (I haven't tried that yet, but intend too).  I started chemo in July and I've completed 11 out of 16 rounds - every three weeks I also have Carboplatin with Paclitaxel, which seems to give me more side affects. I have lost 99% of eyebrows and lashes and of course I'm bald. 
thank you, Bron
chemotherapy-side-effects
paclitaxel
rash
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    6 years ago
    My skin was super sensitive on paclitaxol. I had to have cool showers. I couldn't wear necklaces as the movement irritated my skin. I washed in very mild soap and used moo goo to moisturise. 
    I did see worse with others on it. I'd try the cortisone cream on the worse spots. It will settle tbe itching.
  • smokie08's avatar
    smokie08
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @lady_with_green_eyes, If I remember rightly I had a bit of a rash on paxlitaxol  and carboplatin  oncologist was not too concerned  hang in there it's nearly over. Take care xxx
  • shs14's avatar
    shs14
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @lady_with_green_eyes I used cold therapy for all my paclitaxel treatments. The one time the treatment went over time my nails discoloured. I had no more damage though using ice and gloves for the rest of my sessions and the discoloured bit which was sore improved. There is a post on here about cold therapy. I feel it might help with your discoloured nails, I can't say for the rash, you poor thing, but maybe it could help with that too. (ps I have green eyes too!)
  • jennyss's avatar
    jennyss
    Member
    6 years ago
    Dear @lady_with_green_eyes, 
    My oncologist and chemo  clinic nurse agreed that my rashes and swelling on feet, hands, arms were 'Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia', or PPE or Hand Foot Syndrome. This developed after four rounds of docetaxal chemo. Home made hand and foot ice mitts helped a lot. I did not take a cortisone tablet. Unlike a lot of peripheral neuropathy, the PPE disappeared by fourth week after end of chemo. 
    Best wishes from jennyss in Western NSW


  • lady_with_green's avatar
    lady_with_green
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thanks for your helpful reply, I will contact my breast care nurse and update her on rashes etc & mention about prednisolone.
  • kezmusc's avatar
    kezmusc
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @lady_with_green_eyes,

    I had a weird skin rash with the Paclitaxel as well.  Hot spotty rash that then dried out and got itchy and flaky.  I ended up having to take prednisolone the whole way through to control the rash.  Cream wouldn't cut it as it was knees, arms and hands.  There was too much to cover with the cream.  I didn't have toe issues but maybe pinetarsol or a betadine wash?  Try painting your nails with a gel coated dark colour nail polish.  This worked really well for me and I didn't lose any nails but I wasn't having anything else with the taxol. Some of the other girls have had success with icing hands and feet for PN but it would probably help with nails as well.  
    All the best lovely.
    xoxoxoxoxo