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What Causes Blisters On Neck Area Post Radiation Therapy?
Question: After effect from Chemo 1x per week and radiation 5x per week for 8 weeks.
It has been two weeks since his last radiation treatment of the neck. Two days ago he started breaking out in blisters on the back of his neck. He says the blisters are oozing green stuff and he has a slight temperature of about 100.
Please note that his neck has bumps all over from the radiation anyway and it is a black color. He has a morphine patch and liquid but it makes him sick so the doctor prescribed a new pain medicine called hydromorphone HCL 2mg. He is in a lot of pain and is afraid that this new pain medicine is causing the blisters so he quit taking it. By the way the hydromorphone really helped the pain and made him feel better. Should he continue with this new medication?
It has been two weeks since his last radiation treatment of the neck. Two days ago he started breaking out in blisters on the back of his neck. He says the blisters are oozing green stuff and he has a slight temperature of about 100.
Please note that his neck has bumps all over from the radiation anyway and it is a black color. He has a morphine patch and liquid but it makes him sick so the doctor prescribed a new pain medicine called hydromorphone HCL 2mg. He is in a lot of pain and is afraid that this new pain medicine is causing the blisters so he quit taking it. By the way the hydromorphone really helped the pain and made him feel better. Should he continue with this new medication?
Brief Answer:
soreness of mouth and throat most common
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
Side effects of this treatment occur in most patients but may not be severe in all. I have listed some of the common problems below
The cells lining the mouth are sensitive to radiation. So radiotherapy to mouth is likely to make it sore. This is called oral mucositis. The soreness usually only lasts while the patient is on treatment and for a few weeks afterwards. While the mouth is sore he may find that some foods or drinks are too strong to cope with. These include highly flavoured or spiced foods, and strong alcohol.
Radiotherapy to head and neck area can also cause weight loss because there may be sore or dry mouth, poor appetite, taste changes due to treatment and difficulty swallowing due to soreness or swelling in the throat. These effects are temporary and will gradually go back to normal after a few months.
Apart from this there can be skin reactions on the irradiated part, including blackening and peeling. It appears that this is the most difficult part in him. If the new pain meds are helping then best is to continue the same. I don't think it is causing the blisters. If there is fluid oozing, there may be infection and a course of antibiotics can help.
Hope this helps.
regards
soreness of mouth and throat most common
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
Side effects of this treatment occur in most patients but may not be severe in all. I have listed some of the common problems below
The cells lining the mouth are sensitive to radiation. So radiotherapy to mouth is likely to make it sore. This is called oral mucositis. The soreness usually only lasts while the patient is on treatment and for a few weeks afterwards. While the mouth is sore he may find that some foods or drinks are too strong to cope with. These include highly flavoured or spiced foods, and strong alcohol.
Radiotherapy to head and neck area can also cause weight loss because there may be sore or dry mouth, poor appetite, taste changes due to treatment and difficulty swallowing due to soreness or swelling in the throat. These effects are temporary and will gradually go back to normal after a few months.
Apart from this there can be skin reactions on the irradiated part, including blackening and peeling. It appears that this is the most difficult part in him. If the new pain meds are helping then best is to continue the same. I don't think it is causing the blisters. If there is fluid oozing, there may be infection and a course of antibiotics can help.
Hope this helps.
regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your reply. I forgot to tell you that my brother is on a feeding tube due to Thrush and mouth and throat burning from the radiation. Also, the doctor had all of his teeth pulled two weeks before all of the treatment began. His main concern is that this new medication is causing the blisters because he didn't have them before taking the hydromorphone. He feels miserable and is in a lot of pain. He has a phone call with his ENT tomorrow.
So you feel he can go ahead and take the hydromorphone with out any side effects?
Thank you
Thank you for your reply. I forgot to tell you that my brother is on a feeding tube due to Thrush and mouth and throat burning from the radiation. Also, the doctor had all of his teeth pulled two weeks before all of the treatment began. His main concern is that this new medication is causing the blisters because he didn't have them before taking the hydromorphone. He feels miserable and is in a lot of pain. He has a phone call with his ENT tomorrow.
So you feel he can go ahead and take the hydromorphone with out any side effects?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
yes he can
Detailed Answer:
The blisters are most probably due to radiation reaction and not related to hydromorphone. So if it is relieving the pain, he can continue with it.
yes he can
Detailed Answer:
The blisters are most probably due to radiation reaction and not related to hydromorphone. So if it is relieving the pain, he can continue with it.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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