Itchy skin with Pembrolizumab (Leser-Trelat)

Actually, it might be more cancer-related than immuno-related, I don't know.

Anyway, regardless of the fact that a good scratch feels sooo good, I'd rather go without that dubious pleasure. And I'm convinced it should be possible. For a short while I thought I'd got this beat - I showered with Johnsons Baby Shampoo instead of my usual gel and it was Problem Sorted. But then Mr J changed the recipe, and even coloured the bottle in a pathetic attempt to conceal the deceit, and I'm back to itching again. Comparing ingredients was no help whatsoever, there are so many of them and the prime suspects hide behind pseudo scientific chemical names.

I know in the grand scheme of things this is trivial in the extreme, borderline offensive compared with others' problems. I'm truly sorry for that. But does anyone have any recommendations please? (Preferably cheap, I'm on a pension.)

Steve

  • Hi SteveP

    It's worth having a chat to your nurse specialist about this problem. There may be some type of emollient that they are able to recommend for showering with such as aqueous cream or other non soap based product. 

    Hopefully some of our members here will be able to help with some suggestions too. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Hi Jenn, many thanks for that.

    The dermatologist at hospital recommended E45 wash cream, even offered to raise a prescription for me to try it. I was shocked when I found out how much it cost! I'm currently working my way though a bottle of Simple Soap all in one baby wash, which is an improvement over the new formula Johnsons.

    I think I'll have to bite the bullet and do an ingredients comparison - I feel a spreadsheet coming on... :)

    Steve

  • Problem sorted (I think!)

    I checked back over diaries and notes (I'm a freak for documentation) and I've come to a conclusion: Moisturiser!

    Winter, cold weather, next to no sweat, lots of itching. Summer, hot weather, lots of sweat (I exercise daily), minimal to no itching. Repeatable over the seasons.

    The Leser-Trelat isn't reduced, but at least I can live with it now.

    Hope this is useful to somebody.

    Steve