“I started on 150 mg of Tarceva,” says a fighter on Cancer Compass, “and now 8 days later I find a very unpleasant rash on my face, and neck, and more coming on my arms.”
“My wife has been on Tarceva for 45 days,” says a caregiver, also on Cancer Compass. “Rash developed on her face and abdomen [sic].”
Tarceva is a non-chemo drug used to treat lung and pancreatic cancers. It works by targeting certain proteins that can contribute to tumor-cell growth, and has been proven to prolong survival in patients. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that the most common side effect is a rash, which usually develops about 8–10 days after the start of treatment, and typically affects skin above the waist. (Chemotherapy drugs like Paclitaxel, Bleomycin, L-Asparaginase, Iressa, Erbitux, and Docetaxel can cause a similar rash.) It shows up as red spots or tiny “pimple-like” blotches, and can cause severe dryness and redness, resembling sunburn. Studies of patients taking Tarceva show that about 75% develop the rash. It can come and go, and is commonly referred to as “acneiform,” but it isn’t acne and shouldn’t be treated like acne.
It’s devastating for men and women who have supposedly outgrown teenage pimples to have to deal with this “acne-like” rash on top of everything else. Healthcare professionals advise patients to change habits before it shows up. If you haven’t already, switch to natural, sensitive-skin cleansers and moisturizers (baby formulas and organics are great because of their low-to-negligible chemical content), get your hands on a non-chemical sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 (look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), and if you’re a woman, switch to moisturizing, toxic-free mineral foundations and cover-ups. (Good ones: Jane Iredale’s mineral foundations or chemical-free RMS Beauty cover-ups.)
Nurses recommend spraying baby oil on your back, scalp, and other out-of-reach areas. Since we know the dangers of mineral oil (main ingredient in baby oil), we suggest you choose toxin-free, mineral-oil-free formulas. We love CV Skinlabs Body Repair lotion, as it has no potentially harmful fragrances, yet has calming and healing aloe and calendula to help soothe and soften. You can also try fragrance-free Earth Mama’s baby oil with calming calendula and chamomile specially formulated for sensitive skin. It costs the same as baby oil from the drug store-which shows that switching to healthy formulas is not necessarily more expensive! (Click here to read our post on why organic is beneficial, and go to Pristine Planet for more organic baby oils.)
Once you have the rash, try natural remedies first. MotherNature.com recommends washing with soothing dried chamomile and water, adding ground oatmeal in the bath, drinking apple and dark grape juices, and increasing your intake of vitamins A and C and zinc. We recommend CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray. If you store it in the refrigerator, it will provide an instant cooling relief, then goes on to help heal and tame inflammation with chamomile, cucumber and water lily.
There’s some research supporting the idea that the anti-inflammatory action of omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce rash, so try increasing your intake of fatty fish (salmon, sardines), nuts, and herbs like evening primrose. Clay pastes can reduce symptoms-try Nature’s Supplements Bentonite. Other patients recommend you slather the area with almond oil and a moisturizer from Origins (Never Say Dry Face Moisturizer), apply sunscreen everyday, choose creamy makeup, get more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet (in the form of cod liver oil, or fish oil), and repeatedly apply moisturizer throughout the day. A cancer fighter from Lung Cancer Alliance suggested applying plain old honey (natural antibacterial) and washing it off an hour later: “Sounds weird but it worked for me.”
If natural remedies are ineffective or in severe cases, medical options are available. Dwight of Tarcevarash.com had good luck using Silvadene crème, which helps prevent bacteria from spreading. Doctors also recommend creams with hydrocortisone or clindamyacin. Rashes that don’t respond to creams may be treated with antibiotics, such as tetracycline or doxycycline. If your rash becomes severe, talk to your doctor about reducing your dosage, or stop treatment temporarily. You may also seek out a skilled dermatologist in your area.
The silver lining: If you get the rash, that’s a sign the medication is working! Remember that when you finish the treatment, the rash will most likely disappear, so hang in there.
Have you had an experience with Tarceva rash? Have any great recommendations? Please pass them along!
Hi I have been dianosed with breast cancer. I have just finished my fourth chemo treatment and noticed a rash on both my arms from the elbow to the wrist. i do work in a car for 4/5 hours A day . Do u think the sun is what caused this? I am on taxotere, cytaxon and adrmycin, or could it be one of these? Would appreciate any help, was told to use cortizone cream but doesnt seem to help.
I would ask your doctor, Lori, but my guess would be that it’s the drugs that are causing the rash. They could be making you photosensitive, which means your skin would be more sensitive to the sun, but either way, I think the effect is coming initially from the drugs. Try stepping up your sun protection. Use hats, gloves, scarves, etc., and take zinc oxide with you and reapply throughout the day. Then try pure aloe on the rash to see if that helps. Good luck!
i want to now if i put turmeric in my face do i live it on or i have to wash it of
Hi, Harry. As Deepak mentions in the comments, turmeric may help with your rash mixed with milk. Use it like a mask—leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off and follow with a soothing moisturizer. Hope it works for you!
Thanks for sharing your wife’s natural treatment, Deepak! I feel for her on this medication—I know it can be very challenging for women. I find it interesting that she is using turmeric, as I know of the great properties of this ingredient. I’m using it in all my new skin care products! (www.cvskinlabs.com) She might also want to try my new Rescue & Relief Spray, as that has a cooling effect without the risk of stains. I wish you both good luck and I hope you’ll let us know how you’re doing in the future.
My wife has been using Tarceva for 2 weeks now. Her rash started within 5 days of starting this medication. For her face she is using a mixture of milk & turmeric powder. She takes a tablespoon of milk & 2 pinches of turmeric and mixes them to a creamy paste. With a cotton ball she dabs it over her entire face. It has had a very cooling effect & helps a lot with the rash. She does this twice daily… in the early morning before showering & at night before bed. Just be aware that turmeric stains are extremely difficult to remove from porcelain sinks and also from linens. Hope this helps.
Started Tarceva (150mg) two weeks ago yesterday. Massive rash, acne and nausea feeling daily. The acne was the worse and my face and skin is still very sore but better than a few days ago. Am considering stopping this treatment and living whatever live God will give me as it might be better than living with the side effects of this drug. Hell, maybe my mind is just confused from the daily discomfort but I am not a quitter. Good luck to ya’ll in this same situation as me. I have Sqam.Cell Carninoma in my neck, lympth nodes and one hot spot in my chest cavity. Semper fi rod
I would like this posted to the families that are considering Tarceva for NSC stage IV lung cancer. My father was on it for 2 weeks and had the full body rash in the first week. Then starting his 2nd week, he started vomitting and was so sick he asked for hospice after 3 days and passed away 2 days after that. I would get several opionions before taking this drug. My father would still be here for a little longer but the Tarceva pushed him over the edge and we suspect it ate a hole in his stomach. A year of regular chemo and never sick, but 5 after Tarceva, vomitting every day.
I’m so sorry to hear about your father’s reaction to Tarceva Gina and I totally feel for you. Thank you for sharing this information, I am sure that my readers will appreciate you sharing your experience as they consider treatment options. You are in my prayers. – Britta
I have found a BIG improvement since I re-started taking Evening Primrose Oil tabs (for breast health), so seeing the suggestion here made me feel really good about that decision 🙂
I am on one 150mg pill per day for targeting my breast cancer.
“Tarceva is a targeted cancer treatment. Tarceva is designed to block cell tumor cell growth by targeting the protein in your body called the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 1 (HER1/ EGFR)“
The Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 1 (HER1/ EGFR) is closely associated with my particular type of breast cancer.
Thanks for the info!
denise
Surviving breast cancer…
I’m glad that the post made a positive impact Denise. Thank you for reading and commenting. Sending love and light your way during treatment… Britta