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Sunscreen recommendations for radiation irritation on face?

Posted by prettyflower @prettyflower, Mar 24 11:15am

My husband is having a lot of radiation redness (burns?) on his nose and cheeks from his radiation treatments for sinus cancer. I gave him a sunscreen stick to use since it doesn't run into his eyes, but he's saying it is now crusting into his skin and doesn't want to come off. Any suggestions for a creamy, non-irritating sunscreen, preferably mineral?
Thanks to all.

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Mentor
William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Mar 24 9:36pm

A good lotion like Curel or something with aloe in it helps a lot. Sunscreen isn’t going to do much beyond temporary moisture.
Radiation burn is rather common in my opinion. Most radiation oncologists can recommend or prescribe if need be lotions to use. For me it was sunburn lotion along with Curel.

REPLY
1 reply
sandy8043 | @sandy8043 | Mar 25 10:49am

The staff at Mayo Cancer Center La Crosse recommended CeraVe Cream and Aquaphor. I started on the CeraVe. After radiation when the burns were at their worst I switched to Aquaphor. My nurse gave me some Vaseline infused bandages that I used to cover the Aquaphor. They worked great. At night I would apply the Aquaphor, wrap the area with the Vaseline bandages and then wrap losely with a wide strip of fabric cut from the bottom of a t shirt held by tape. It all stayed in place so I could sleep. They also recommended vinegar soaks. I again used t shirt fabric soaked in the vinegar water solution. The wraps were very soothing. Then apply the Aquaphor or CeraVe.
Hope this helps.

REPLY
1 reply
prettyflower | @prettyflower | Mar 25 1:41pm
In reply to @hrhwilliam "A good lotion like Curel or something with aloe in it helps a lot. Sunscreen isn’t..." + (show)
@hrhwilliam

A good lotion like Curel or something with aloe in it helps a lot. Sunscreen isn’t going to do much beyond temporary moisture.
Radiation burn is rather common in my opinion. Most radiation oncologists can recommend or prescribe if need be lotions to use. For me it was sunburn lotion along with Curel.

Jump to this post

Thanks so much. Curel is definitely a well-regarded moisturizer, agreed. We've been using Aquaphor for that purpose. And of course we can turn to our aloe vera gel, if he needs that sort of relief (which hasn't happened yet, thankfully). I'm asking about sunscreen specifically as a way to avoid further damage to the skin from sun exposure.

REPLY
prettyflower | @prettyflower | Mar 25 1:47pm
In reply to @sandy8043 "The staff at Mayo Cancer Center La Crosse recommended CeraVe Cream and Aquaphor. I started on..." + (show)
@sandy8043

The staff at Mayo Cancer Center La Crosse recommended CeraVe Cream and Aquaphor. I started on the CeraVe. After radiation when the burns were at their worst I switched to Aquaphor. My nurse gave me some Vaseline infused bandages that I used to cover the Aquaphor. They worked great. At night I would apply the Aquaphor, wrap the area with the Vaseline bandages and then wrap losely with a wide strip of fabric cut from the bottom of a t shirt held by tape. It all stayed in place so I could sleep. They also recommended vinegar soaks. I again used t shirt fabric soaked in the vinegar water solution. The wraps were very soothing. Then apply the Aquaphor or CeraVe.
Hope this helps.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the extra input. I haven't heard of the Vaseline bandages or vinegar. Good to keep in mind. Aquaphor has been satisfying him so far for moisturizer, and I already have the CeraVe cream for myself, so it's all ready and waiting! I did ask his oncology team about sun protection recommendations but they had nothing specific except "SPF 25". I'm going to go ahead with CeraVe tinted mineral sunscreen SPF 30. I've used it before myself, and it's very nice cosmetically as well as for protection. No irritants and no white cast. He should be happy with that, and I'll be happy he's being protected from those extra rays.

REPLY
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