Rash

A rash is a skin reaction that changes your skin's color, appearance, or texture. A rash can appear on just one part of your body or all over it. A rash may be the sign of an allergic reaction or infection.

Symptoms of a rash include:

• redness
• itching
• inflammation
• bumps
• dryness
• blisters
• swelling
• pain

Any medicine has the potential to cause a rash in some people.

Breast cancer treatments that may cause a rash are:

• chemotherapy
• radiation therapy
• hormonal therapy:
  • Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole) 
  • Aromasin (chemical name: exemestane)
  • Femara (chemical name: letrozole)
  • tamoxifen
  • Evista (chemical name: raloxifene)
  • Fareston (chemical name: toremifene)
  • Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant)
• targeted therapies:
  • Avastin (chemical name: bevacizumab)
  • Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab)
  • Tykerb (chemical name: lapatanib) 

Some pain medications also can cause a rash.

Managing a rash

If you think your rash is an allergic reaction to a medication or a sign of infection, stop taking the medication and call your doctor immediately.

If your rash isn't an allergic reaction, here are some tips to ease any discomfort you may have:

• Wear loose clothes. Tight clothes can rub and irritate a rash.
• Wash with mild soap that contains no perfumes to reduce irritation.
• Pat yourself dry after bathing -- don’t rub your skin.
• Protect your skin with clothing and sunscreen when outdoors.
• Stop using perfumes, deodorants, body lotions, as well as powders, body oils, and creams that could make the rash worse.
• Avoid scratching -- it could make the rash worse.
• Ask your doctor about anti-itch creams, antihistamines, and pain relievers to help ease rash discomfort.