Connect
← Return to Anxiety over radiation burns: What can I expect?
Discussion
Anxiety over radiation burns: What can I expect?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (39)Comment receiving replies
My papers from the radiation oncologist office says to start skin care products on the day of radiation but the people that did the mapping a couple days ago that will also do the radiation told me I should start using the cream 2x/day that day and continue during radiation - which starts Nov 18 (which is scheduled for every other day for 5 treatments), so I have been using Vanicream as that is what I have. - they said it would make my area soft/moist before radiation. I never thought of using moisturizer unless my skin was dry - but to start with moisturizer to prevent skin dryness makes sense. They also suggested Udder Cream/Bag Balm, Aloe Vera gel at least 97% aloe, also approved are Aquaphor, Lubriderm, Eucerin and Cetaphil, and that I may apply Hydrocortisone cream if the area is itchy. Also I am to use either Lume or Native deodorant (or another deodorant that is not an antiperspirant). I haven't heard of anyone else being told to start the cream early, have you? I will do what a lot of you are saying and continue the cream for a couple weeks after surgery, and perhaps I will switch to 97% Aloe Vera during radiation treatments since many of you are using that with success but for now will use Vanicream.
Replies to "My papers from the radiation oncologist office says to start skin care products on the day..."
It sounds like a helpful tip to moisturize before. I've found that often techs really know a lot as they see skin all day long. Hope it works well.
I used Cera Ve. It has to be water based according to my nurses. You only apply after radiation, and before bed. I had 18 treatments, both breasts, and thats what I did. I did not wear any deodorant until after radiation. I did not have any burning.
i finished 3 weeks of radiation 5 days a week , a couple of months ago . it went very well , looked like a bad sunburn at end, but cream from nurse worked well , no pain whatso ever , no itching . healed very well . and i'm in my 60 s. with badly sun damaged skin to begin with . you will be fine , did seem to make me tired weeks after . but everyone is different . i'm glad i had it , as several lymph nodes affected . i found it a breeze . had had a mastectomy a few weeks before, so had scaring from that , but the radiation didn't worry the long scar. or inflame it . skin slightly darker a few weeks after but returns to natural colour pretty quickly . so try not to worry , don't be anxious that's a lot worse than having it done . remember it's killing off stray cancer cells . all the best .
Connect
My doctor gave me a prescription for a cream. I don’t remember the name of it. And a jar of petroleum jelly. I had to use the jelly twice a day and the prescription once a day after every treatment. I’m shocked they don’t automatically give you that. All My best.