I have had terrible dry skin,going crazy with the itching constantly. I saw a dermatologist and found the way I was trying to moisturize more was ineffective. I was using a lotion after a nice warm, not hot, soak in the tub with a wonderful milk bath product. Then while still wet, lots of lotion, then coconut oil to “seal” it.
My dermatologist had me change all that. Now I take only showers, it “tepid” water for mo more than 3 minutes. Use “ Dove” soap just for “the folds”underarm, bottom, and under the boobs. Also no more than 3 showers a week. After getting out then the lotion (no creams (he had me get Cetaphil lotion), over the wet body, and no oils. It’s making a difference now doing this for about 4 weeks. I also added (at the dermatologist’s recommendation) at night a 20mg tablet of Pepcid AC, and a 10mg tablet of Zyrtec. At my last check in this past week he was happy with the progress of my skin. He advised to change the antihistamine (Zyrtec) monthly as its effectiveness goes down after 30 days. He gave me name of 2 other antihistamines to use alternatively, one month at a time.
One month of Zyrtec (cetrizine), then one month of Benadryl (12.5), then one month of Claritin (25 mg). To still use it with the Pepcid AC . After three months, if still itchy begin the cycle again,
This all happened after getting a sepsis infection and septic shock with appendicitis that had created more GI issues, separate from my lymphocytic colitis. I had also been taken off the Calequence (hopefully to reduce the amount of diarrhea my oncologist felt was a side effect) and now on Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) and that side effect is dry itchy skin, trade one for another. I’m just so tired all the time just managing the difference diagnosis’ along with the CLl, and a type of trial and error approach to address the side effects.
At least I got antibiotics (IV) in the hospital to clear the infection and then continued at home with a 24 hour medicine ball I would hook into my PICC line every day for 2 more weeks. Then my follow up with the surgeon (he thought that once I was free of the infection, I might still need an appendectomy). Fortunately, at my follow up visit after all the treatments, he didn’t feel I needed the surgery. (At least not at this time) but will keep an eye on it.
My most recent labs were the best in a month! I just wish I weren’t so tired all the time. I make little plans to do something fun, then when the day comes I cancel because I just am so tired. I walk to keep I’m up some of my exercises.
All I know, is I wish this would just go away and let me plan stuff that may be a few months away without having these “hospital “ breaks. In the past 2.5 years, I’ve been hospitalized 3 times all over 5 days up to 20.

Because it’s a reaction. Discuss with oncologist and see if you can take antihistamines o4 lower your dosage..

Boy that is a lot to deal with I hope you have a better outcome in the days to come. I am not even close to that amount of work without success with the rash or itch.