Skin Care during Radiation?

Please strongly consider using Mepitel Film instead. It is a silicone thin film that has been proven to reduce the risk of your skin burning. It is not yet FDA approved but is undergoing a clinical trial at Mayo. It has made such a difference that their store now sells it but it is less expensive when purchased from Medical Warehouse in Canada. There is a FB group for it as well as videos to learn how to apply properly. You apply before your first session and keep it on throughout and 2 weeks after. It protects your skin. I had no burning whatsoever and barely turned pink. However, it is not covered by insurance.

Hello @marshgirl24 I did not use fresh aloe Vera as that would have required the death of a very large or many small plants. Lol
I used a commercial 100% aloe Vera without alcohol. I used a lot of it. I even kept it in the fridge. I had 6 weeks of radiation without any serious burns, but it did feel burned like a bad sunburn and the aloe Vera made it better.
I also ditched the bra for a while in favor of a couple of soft shirts.
Mepitel gel was not even thought of at the time, I would definitely consider asking my radiologist if this is an option and if it is recommended.
How are you feeling with the plan for treatment?

Mepitel has been mentioned before and I looked it up. The article I read said the time required to apply it has discouraged hospitals from using it. ?? 55 minutes to fit it. So I thought it had to be fitted each time. Are you saying that it's fitted once and you wear this shield continually?

I just went on that Mepitel group. My request is pending. Thank you. Friday I go for the simulator, etc. My radiation oncologist is younger and he might be receptive to this.

Are you talking about the Lily of the Valley aloe vera gel? Someone online also drank Johnson Aloe vera juice and said it made her feel better. I understand about the plant but many women are using strips of real aloe, from what I read.

I am happy with my team of doctors. @auntieoakley Because I was in healthcare, i read a lot, etc. It's so important to feel good (well, as good as you can feel when you have cancer) about what's going on. For some reason they did not remove any nodes. They did ultrasound (benign) and then the Breast MRI. Nodes were benign. The radiation oncologist wants to make sure "they got everything" so he lengthened my radiation. I'm fine with that. Recently I read about a new way to diagnose lymph nodes that is in trials right now. It's called InVision and uses shortwave infrared lights to find/diagnose the nodes. Small trial of 100 patients. 4% were found to have nodes that had been missed. Sorry, I'm off-topic but after reading comments in this forum and talking to friends I was excited that newer technology was in the works for that important issue.

@cobb I'm on the Mayo site but these sheets are very small. 15 x 20 cm? What am I missing? And they sell the sheets individually. It doesn't sound like something that can be kept on for weeks. I must be misunderstanding something.

Yes, once and done but depends on a number of factors. First as to application. I was the first to use at my proton beam radiation center and I had the RO put on. So my field was smaller than with standard radiation and I had lumpectomy with no nodal involvement. Took maybe 10 minutes. Husband watched this plus the YouTube and was able to improve on original application. Sweat and water will cause the film to lift and removing can hurt our tender radiated skin. So I skipped sweaty exercise and resorted to daily sponge baths to keep the area dry. The film also helps because it keeps your skin from rubbing against clothing! I took mine off about 1 and a half weeks after radiation was finished. The FB group is really helpful, ask away! One other thing, you do not need the film on for mapping.
Mayo’s sheets are expensive and you don’t get many. I got mine from Medical Warehoue in. Canada. FB said it was on sale at this time. It takes longer but for an additional charge they will expedite. Hope this helps.

Please ask this question to your Radiation Oncologist! Mine wrote me a script for Mometazole cream and the nurse will tell you how and especially what areas you need to apply the cream. Make sure that you are thorough in the application of whatever they tell you to use. I slathered it on at night. Day time I put a normal amount.
My best to you!

I used a few different brands at my local variety store. I just checked to make sure they didn’t have alcohol in the gel. I keep one in the fridge for kitchen burns, and sunburns and it feels amazing.
Please let me know what you decide, I look forward to knowing how it works as well.

@marshgirl I used fresh aloe vera cut from a plant in my backyard. You can get it at a nursery. I cleaned the leaf with dish soap then wiped the whole thing with rubbing alcohol. Then I cut away the original cut and the thorns along the stem with a clean knife, then refrigerated it to keep it fresh. I found fresh aloe vera more effective than the bottled one. But everyone is different. Bring a piece of it to your treatment and apply it generously right after each treatment ( I did it in the changing room) and reapply few times a day. Keep using it for 2 weeks after the last treatment. I had no burn during the radiation treatment, but I stopped too early that one small blister appeared under my nipple. You can also use lotion on top to make your skin moist. Make sure you reapply after taking shower and remove it before treatment because it may interfere with the effectiveness of radiation. I didn’t have any side effects and was able to continue my running/walking during 20 sessions. Everyone has different preference regarding skin protection method, mine just happened to be fresh aloe Vera. Prescription cream may be very effective too. Don’t worry so much, you’ll be fine.

Ive shared my experience awhile back on what was VERY effective for me with radiation. It was so effective my radiologist called me in and said he was concerned about me. He said he thought he might have mis calibrated me.
I asked him why? You dont think im burning much? He said yes!
1) real aloe leaf scored. Cut into blocks and put in fridge.
2) apply every 20-30 minutes, topless in the house, no one home.
3) Lily of the Desert 99% Aloe Gel at night and when I needed to go out
4) drank 1 cup Georges aloe vera drink, too. Works on the Inside.

My skin looks like a baby. No brown, smooth etc.

I gave a cut to a young girl who was raw red. She slathered it on her the rest of the day, next day, she was pink.

God knows best. I use His creations.
Try it, not just for radiation but any cuts or scrapes or sun burn.

No petroleum products…. Like the ones they give you.