A Patient’s Guide to Understanding
Cutaneous Lymphoma
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which are a simple, safe, and effective way to alleviate itch as well as
decrease redness, burning, and weeping of skin lesions. Ask for detailed
instructions about how to apply these dressings when you visit your
healthcare provider.
There are other medications that help alleviate itch. Some options are:
•
Gabapentin (Neurontin®) is an anticonvulsant prescribed for
individuals prone to seizures, which has been effective in treating
itch.
•
Aprepitant (Emend®) is a prescription medication used for
preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, which has
been shown to be effective in reducing itch.
•
Phototherapy is a viable treatment option for patients with mycosis
fungoides, especially those suffering with itch.
•
Topical steroids may be effective when used in conjunction with
other treatment methods but tend to be impractical in treating
severe cases due to the large surface area.
•
The most effective over-the-counter lotions for less severe cases are
those that contain menthol as its cooling properties can overpower
the itching sensation. Be cautious of using analgesics as they have
been shown to aggravate itching episodes.
In addition, some relief of itch has been reported through alternative
methods such as acupuncture and biofeedback.
Fissures
A fissure is a straight or linear crack in the skin, which often extends
into the second layer of skin, where it causes considerable pain and
discomfort. These primarily occur on the palm side of the fingers and
hands. These fissures can make it difficult to use fingers for fine motor
skills like dressing, writing, cooking, or eating. Fissures can happen
at any time, to anybody, particularly during winter and especially in
individuals who have thick, scaly skin on their palms because of an
illness like cutaneous lymphoma.
Most physicians believe this occurs in patients with scaly skin because
a small crack in the skin gets infected with bacteria, particularly staph,
and that causes a crack to widen and become more painful. It happens
more often in winter than summer because the humid conditions of the
