[Closmith]

Revlimid & itchy scalp - nothing seems to help

by Closmith on Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:12 pm

Hello. My husband tried Revlimid and developed an awfully itchy scalp after 3 days. Benadryl did not help. He came off the Revlimid for a few days until he could speak with his oncologist. Onco wants him to try it again. Has anyone found that the itchy scalp goes away after a week or something? If itchy scalp continues, would he be taken off Revlimid permanently? How have things gone for you? Thanks, in advance.

[terryl1]

Re: Revlimid & itchy scalp - nothing seems to help

by terryl1 on Wed Jul 17, 2013 6:07 am

The same thing happened to me. It is apparently a fairly common side effect. I used Claritin and a soothing shampoo made by Aveena. The problem went away in a week or so.

[DallasGG]

Re: Revlimid & itchy scalp - nothing seems to help

by DallasGG on Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:04 am

I Just started treatment with Revlimid about 9 days ago and after a few days my scalp started to itch. Just over the last couple of days it has gotten a little better. Maybe I'm just getting used to it or maybe it's actually improving. For those of you that have had itchy scalp from the Revlimid, does the itchiness seem to go away over time? I didn't take anything for it.

[Susan Penley]

Re: Revlimid & itchy scalp - nothing seems to help

by Susan Penley on Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:05 pm

I also had an extremely itchy scalp after starting Revlimid. I had less itchiness after 3 or 4 days. I just started my second cycle today, and I'm hoping I won't have extreme itchiness.

[KrysiaR]

Re: Revlimid & itchy scalp - nothing seems to help

by KrysiaR on Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:03 pm

This happened to me too. I took Extra-Strength Reactine and itching disappeared after 20 minutes!

[Closmith]

Re: Revlimid & itchy scalp - nothing seems to help

by Closmith on Wed Jul 17, 2013 11:33 pm

Thank you all for such speedy replies!

[NStewart]

Re: Revlimid & itchy scalp - nothing seems to help

by NStewart on Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:31 am

I had itchy scalp when I restarted Revlimid at 15 mg. I took Benadryl for a couple of days, which helped. Since I had taken Revlimid prior to my ASCT, I knew that it worked well for me so stuck with it. Within a week the itching stopped and I haven't experienced it again in any of the following cycles. I've been on Revlimid since 12/12.

Who knows what causes it? One of my theories is that it is that the Revlimid is attacking the Myeloma and it is a histamine reaction to the dead cancer cells. Since I have a lot of lesions in my skull and the bone of the skull is so close to the surface of the body, we may feel the activity there more than in areas of lesions deep in our bodies. Just some wondering, nothing based on fact.

Good luck to your husband,
Nancy in Phila

[ethomas]

Re: Revlimid & itchy scalp - nothing seems to help

by ethomas on Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:34 pm

I started Revlimid on September 6 and now I have developed the itch for 2 weeks. It seems that it has not gotten worse or gotten better. It's just there.

[Blackbird]

Re: Revlimid & itchy scalp - nothing seems to help

by Blackbird on Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:13 pm

I had an itchy scalp and extremely dry, flaky skin for several weeks (don't wear black!). Aveeno helped a bit while the problem lasted. Eventually my system seemed to adjust and the problem went away. Although my skin isn't near as oily as it used to be (a plus, I guess), I'm no longer sloughing off layer after layer like a reptile.

[Krseth]

Re: Revlimid & itchy scalp - nothing seems to help

by Krseth on Tue Mar 03, 2015 10:05 pm

Thank you so much – I just found this site. I started Revlimid 3 days ago and my scalp has been so uncomfortably itchy. I thought I was crazy! Will try all of the suggestions and keep my fingers crossed.