Treatment-related skin issues: Hives and itching

Lisman, I'm tagging @diane12 @rosiemolano @jcolby @matttheschmatt @deniseestrada and @maureenkarras who have also mentioned skin issues related to Tamoxifen and/or an aromatase inhibitor. Hopefully they will have some tips for you.

I found these tips: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/itching

Have you tried anything topical to relieve the itching? Have you contacted your symptom management nurse?

Colleen - Hello! I have a question related to skin itching but not related to AI's post breast cancer. I have had this itching and rash for 3 years now (3 years, did I mention 3 years). I have seen 3 dermatologists about it and none can agree on the cause. I did not have it prior to my bi lateral mastectomy surgery but have had it since (and especially since my scar revision surgery). Can the surgery itself cause rashes and itching (it itches even now as I type). I have a prescription steroid cream that works but I have to use if faithfully every day. Just wondering if you've seen that discussed and if you could point me in the right direction to share with other members who may have experienced this?
I was told for a time it might be cutaneous T cell lymphoma but that seems to not be the case (thank goodness). I have a history of allergies and skin problems but this is new and seems related pretty much to my chest across my mastectomy scars. Mostly I just try to ignore it. Wondering if it's related in some way to the surgery or.........if I will have to continue on my dermatology quest. Thank you.

I’ve taken Zyrtec for some relief and it works. Also I’ve used ‘Vaseline Eczema Calming’ lotion and it seems to also help. I take thyroid meds first thing in the morning because they need to be taken on an empty stomach. I was taking my tomoxifin first thing in the morning along with my other meds, so I’d only need to remember taking pills once a day. This week, I started taking my tomoxifin later in the day, with food, rather than on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. That also seems to have helped with the itching problem; It’s only been a few days, but so far... (‘knock on wood’) it seems to be working.

I have been taking Anastrozole since 2021 and in February 2026 I will be finished taking it. For the last 2 to 3 years my skin gets really itchy as soon as I get hot. Whether it's from the heat outside or if I get hot inside a building. I never get a rash and the itching stops immediately once I'm no longer hot. The itching comes quickly when I'm hot and it goes away quickly as soon as I'm no longer hot. I have no idea what to use since it feels like what is causing the itching is internal.

I have experienced night time hives since my mastectomy and breast reconstruction. It’s annoying and they only seem to activate in the evening. (Not on my chest but in other places.) I take Benadryl and use a prescription hydrocortisone, and they do help.

I really dislike the fact that I might know what this is. 😂
When I started my breast cancer journey, it included tamoxifen, then anastrozole, which made me have terrible hot flashes, especially if I get warm with weather or warm buildings. That will trigger a bad one really quick, and they come and stay for a while. This is a “Vaso” response. The opening and closing of all the tiny blood vessels everywhere, made me feel like I was itching everywhere all at once, from about the waist up.
I don’t know if this is the same as what you have, but I can tell you the itching portion of the program subsided over the first year, after I quit taking anastrazole. I wish I could say the same of the hot flashes. Let’s just say, I am not looking forward to summer. 🥵
I am glad you are in your last year of anastrozole, does this sound like the itching you have?

Hi there! I never had hot flashes. However my itching is like yours where the itching is only waist up. Mostly my arms and my back. The odd thing is that my itching starts in an instant when I enter into heat and in an instant the itching stops on a dime when I walk into a place that is cool. 🤷‍♀️😂

I had a similar problem on my arm. I take 1mg anastrozole once a day. I had switched to taking it before bedtime thinking to minimize any fatigue side effect. I then had hives over one of my forearm (I never had hives before). Since I did not want to scratch and cause broken skin, etc., I ran an ice cube over the area for some time until it stopped the itching. I have since switched back to noontime for my medication and no more hives. I do have some itching over the my breast and waist which I believe is from the radiation and not the anastrozole.

Ok great, I'm glad you found it was better to take the Anastrozole in the afternoon. I take it at night before I go to bed because if I took it during the day I would forget sometimes.