When should I call my doctor about a rash during immunotherapy?

Call your doctor for advice if you are receiving immunotherapy and have a severe, extensive, blistering, or painful rash. It is especially important to call about a rash that involves the eyes or a mucous membrane, such as your mouth.

This matters because some types of immunotherapy can cause a severe and sometimes extensive rash. Your skin may also become dry or blistered. These reactions can be more serious than the milder skin problems often seen with radiation therapy or chemotherapy. So let your health care team know promptly, and the rash can be treated.

The same idea applies to targeted therapy. If you develop a rash while on targeted therapy, talk with your doctor before stopping the treatment. More generally, the article advises telling your health care team about any skin changes, so they can be treated promptly. Make note of all the problems your team asks you to call about. Your healthcare team is the best source for guidance about your specific treatment and symptoms.