What did you do to help radiation burn?

Posted by cadunkin @cadunkin, Oct 24, 2022

After lumpectomy & lymph node removal (margins & nodes showed no cancer) I had 15 rounds or radiation in 3 weeks. At the end of treatment two weeks ago I developed a rash on my chest from the radiation. It’s very red & itches like crazy, which makes it hard to sleep. I’m using over the counter cortisone cream & Aquaphor for the dryness. Has anyone had success with other ways to treat this while waiting for it to heal? This site has helped me tremendously so thank you to everyone!

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@joan23

Good day!

I finished my 16 days of radiation and now I have a burn that is very bad. My doctor prescribed me SSD, but is not working. Any recommendations? Is this normal? Does anyone else experienced the same?

Thank you and blessings to all!

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I also had radiation after lumpectomy. I was fine during the radiation treatment but after had a severe burn and cracked nipple. The Dr. gave me some prescription cream which helped some. I called his office and they said this was normal and would peak in 7 days and then get better which it did. It took another 2 weeks to feel totally normal. I just wish they would have told me that.

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@cfetoday

I also had radiation after lumpectomy. I was fine during the radiation treatment but after had a severe burn and cracked nipple. The Dr. gave me some prescription cream which helped some. I called his office and they said this was normal and would peak in 7 days and then get better which it did. It took another 2 weeks to feel totally normal. I just wish they would have told me that.

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Hi! Thank you very much for your feedback. Yesterday, a friend of mine that is a pharmacist recommended me Silvadene cream and today I feel much better.

Hope you continue doing well. Take care!

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@joan23

Hi! Thank you very much for your feedback. Yesterday, a friend of mine that is a pharmacist recommended me Silvadene cream and today I feel much better.

Hope you continue doing well. Take care!

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Thank you. That's the cream I used. It did help. Wish you all the best too!

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@joan23

Good day!

I finished my 16 days of radiation and now I have a burn that is very bad. My doctor prescribed me SSD, but is not working. Any recommendations? Is this normal? Does anyone else experienced the same?

Thank you and blessings to all!

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If you are large-breasted and the radiation is directed to the underside of your breast the ComfortSlings products are game changers in protecting your skin. The company sells both slings, with cushions on adjustable straps that tuck beneath the breast, and cushions without the straps to tuck inside your bra cup.

I began using a ComfortSling the day I began radiation, wearing it as many hours of the day as possible, especially at night while I slept. Several times during the day I lay on my back and applied colorless, odorless gel to my entire breast, including the underside. I remained in position until the gel was fully absorbed (it took seconds), then immediately tucked the ComfortSling beneath my breast. With continuous protection from moisture and abrasion, the need for other products was virtually eliminated. By my treatments' end, my skin had darkened slightly but was otherwise unchanged. When I was out and about, I tucked a cushion inside my bra. The slings and the cushions virtually eliminated the accumulation of moisture beneath my breast and protected my skin from the rubbing and abrasion of skin-to-skin contact. By my treatment’s end, my skin had darkened slightly at the radiation site, but was otherwise unchanged. I had no pain, no broken skin.

If you have already begun your radiation treatments, the sling will still go a long way toward preventing further irritation and pain. I can’t recommend these products enough! Good luck!

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@joan23

Hi! Thank you very much for your feedback. Yesterday, a friend of mine that is a pharmacist recommended me Silvadene cream and today I feel much better.

Hope you continue doing well. Take care!

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Joan,
You'll also appreciate the posts in this discussion:
- What did you do to help radiation burn?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-burn-treatment/

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@leolion811

I am also using 100% aloe Vera everyday and so far, no burns! 7 more treatments to go! But I hate the radiation stickers- they itch and come off! I have 15 stickers on me!

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I don't want to be a downer, but I also used aloe and aquaphor and had very little burn, just redness and swelling. 8 days after my skin is charred and very painful. They tell me this is normal but I was not prepared for it. Just want you to know it can happen.

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Ask your radiology doc or the techs that are doing the radiation for some cream. They can also give you some cream instead of waiting for a doc visit.

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@ema1

I don't want to be a downer, but I also used aloe and aquaphor and had very little burn, just redness and swelling. 8 days after my skin is charred and very painful. They tell me this is normal but I was not prepared for it. Just want you to know it can happen.

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It’s disappointing that your dr didn’t give you creamed to put on it. My doctor gave me a prescription cream that I had to put on every night and a petroleum jelly type type product that I had to put on three times a day. That’s wrong of your doctor!

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@bjohnson511

It’s disappointing that your dr didn’t give you creamed to put on it. My doctor gave me a prescription cream that I had to put on every night and a petroleum jelly type type product that I had to put on three times a day. That’s wrong of your doctor!

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I got aquaphor and purchased 99% aloe gel and have used them all day and before bed. I'm purchasin another cream and will let all know if it works!

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My husband used Egyptian Bee's Wax faithfully for his throat radiation and he credits this with minimal burn.

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