Anxiety over radiation burns: What can I expect?

I'm sure you'll get good suggestions here. Often the radiologist's office will give you samples or suggestions. I mostly used calendula. Aloe vera is good too. But basically be diligent and apply it frequently (although not right before a treatment). You can use any cream approved by the radiologist, and I found the radiation techs to be a good source of tips too. I had 15 treatments, and did not burn. My radiation oncologist said that if I started to burn badly we could always take a break. Basically I felt supported--it was not an endurance test. When do you start treatment?

Thanks so much for replying. I start next Tuesday. Im happy to hear that you didn’t burn. That’s so good! I will be diligent for sure, maybe I’ll be the same.
I’ve had a few scary things in the last couple of years, a colon resection, then diagnosed in August with breast cancer. Why on earth this is bothering me so much, I don’t know! Thanks again, I will aloe and calendula. Best to have a few choices. 🙏🏻

I used fresh aloe vera and had no burn until a few days after the radiation was complete. Probably because I stopped using aloe vera right after the last treatment instead of continuing for a bit longer. It wasn’t so bad. I had 20 treatments total. Whatever cream you decide to use, make sure you use it right after each treatment and maybe several times a day and continue for at least a week after the last one. My hat is off to you. I’m so afraid of surgery that i went for lumpectomy instead. Wish you all the best.

I had some radiation burns from my treatment, but when I told the Dr. he prescribed Silvadene and that helped alot!

I had 40 treatments over six and a half weeks. The dose of radiation was lower than it is for those with fewer treatments.
Like Miriam, I used calendula. Other than a "tan" and severe itching, I didn't have any burning or blistering.
For me, the worst symptom of the treatments was an increasing fatigue. Toward the end, at least once, I had to rely on someone to get me there.

I had 20 treatments and the only effect was similar to a bad sunburn. This healed by two weeks after the treatment finished and the worst effect was that my skin peeled a bit. (There's new skin underneath.) I slathered on aquaphor and aloe vera. Definitely keep up with the skin creams for several weeks after treatment. You will do fine. I was also worried about radiation therapy, and it turned out to be much easier than I thought it would be.

I had radiation burns on chest wall at about week 3 of six the burns were beginning to show. By end they were painful and weeping. I was given salve medicine and pain meds that helped. Bandaging helped. Within 2 weeks after radiation ended my skin looked and felt normal. Radiation was necessary and I didn’t want to stop early. Hopefully the radiologist will have ideas of how to deal with both fears and burns and risks involved in continuing, changing, or stopping.

Your doctor should’ve given you a prescription for a burn cream that you can get at the pharmacy. They gave me a petroleum jelly cream and the prescription for another cream. I had to use one two times a day and one once a day. This should be standard procedure. Hugs.

Hi Kathy, it's good to be prepared. I had 15 treatments and had very severe reactions. I used the Miraderm as suggested but it didn't stop anything. I am not trying to scare you but I was under prepared for what was to come. I used prescription hydrocortisone) 2 % lotion, benedryl cream, Doxepin (ZONALON) 5 % Top Cream, Hydrocortisone 2.5 % Top Cream, Loratadine (CLARITIN) 10 mg Oral Tablets. You may not need all of it but I was literally going insane with itching and blisters.
With 5 treatments, I am hoping you will have none of these!

Thank you all for your help. I got Calendula Salve which is Calendula and olive oil. I’m also going to use aloe straight from the plant. I’m going to ask the radiologist on Tuesday for input as well.
Again thank you all! All suggestions welcome. I will follow up as I go along to maybe help another newby:)