Skin rash (including EGFR-inhibitor rash)
Some treatments cause red, bumpy, itchy, or dry skin. A rash that looks like acne on the face, chest, and back is common with EGFR inhibitor drugs.
Why it happens
EGFR inhibitors, such as osimertinib, erlotinib, cetuximab, panitumumab, and amivantamab, often cause an acne-like rash and dry skin. Immunotherapy, other targeted drugs, and radiation can also affect the skin.
What helps
- Ask your care team about starting skin care or medicine early, before a rash appears.
- Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer twice a day.
- Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), and wear a hat and long sleeves outside.
- Do not use acne products from the store unless your care team says it is okay. They can dry the skin more.
- Keep nails trimmed and check the skin around them for redness or swelling.
- Take lukewarm, short showers and pat your skin dry.
Call your care team right away if you have
- The rash covers a large part of your body or is very painful or itchy.
- You see blisters, peeling, open sores, or sores in your mouth or eyes.
- The rash looks infected, with pus, warmth, or fever.
Questions to ask
- Should I start preventive creams or antibiotics for my skin?
- Which moisturizer and sunscreen do you recommend?
- At what point would you change my treatment because of the rash?
Medicines that can cause this
- Alectinib
- Allopurinol
- Alpelisib
- Amivantamab
- Anastrozole
- Antithymocyte globulin (ATG)
- Apalutamide
- Arsenic trioxide
- Asciminib
- Asparaginase (pegaspargase and others)
- Atezolizumab
- Bendamustine
- Bosutinib
- Brigatinib
- Capivasertib
- Cemiplimab
- Cetuximab
- Cladribine
- Cytarabine
- Dabrafenib and trametinib
- Darolutamide
- Dasatinib
- Dostarlimab
- Durvalumab
- Edoxaban
- Elranatamab
- Encorafenib and binimetinib
- Enfortumab vedotin
- Erlotinib
- Everolimus
Sources
Quick answers
- What is skin rash during cancer treatment?
- Some treatments cause red, bumpy, itchy, or dry skin. A rash that looks like acne on the face, chest, and back is common with EGFR inhibitor drugs.
- Why does skin rash happen?
- EGFR inhibitors, such as osimertinib, erlotinib, cetuximab, panitumumab, and amivantamab, often cause an acne-like rash and dry skin. Immunotherapy, other targeted drugs, and radiation can also affect the skin.
- What helps with skin rash?
- Ask your care team about starting skin care or medicine early, before a rash appears; Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer twice a day; Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), and wear a hat and long sleeves outside; Do not use acne products from the store unless your care team says it is okay. They can dry the skin more; Keep nails trimmed and check the skin around them for redness or swelling; Take lukewarm, short showers and pat your skin dry.
- When should I call my care team about skin rash?
- The rash covers a large part of your body or is very painful or itchy; You see blisters, peeling, open sores, or sores in your mouth or eyes; The rash looks infected, with pus, warmth, or fever.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.