← Return to Itchy skin after completing radiation therapy?

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Itchy skin after completing radiation therapy?

Breast Cancer | Last Active: Dec 8, 2024 | Replies (17)

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@dlst

It sounds like you are doing great. If it's working, keep it up! So here is the rest of my story - I went back to my radiation oncologist, who recommended that I use a prescription strength hydro-cortisone ointment twice a day, which is helping. Also he told me that I didn't need to wait four months to contact him. (I just kept hoping it would get better!) Of course, it got to the unbearable point during Thanksgiving holiday (maybe due to the hot tub?) when his office wasn't open, and I didn't feel like going to the emergency room just for itchy skin. So, to those who may still have itchy skin more than a month after finishing treatment, the best thing is probably to call your doctor's office. He also suggested that I just try one moisturizing product per week, just to make sure I am not allergic to any of them. Even though they are all hypo-allergenic, it is still possible (though unlikely) to be allergic to one of the ingredients. I have had sensitive skin all my life, and it runs in my family, so this probably doesn't apply to most people. I'm still glad I got a lumpectomy plus radiation rather than a mastectomy. And my six-month (after surgery) 3D mammo and ultrasounds were totally clear!

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Replies to "It sounds like you are doing great. If it's working, keep it up! So here is..."

No hot tub. They tell us no extreme cold or heat. Guess I’ll keep that up for a while when I finish. And I would always keep the conversation going with the radiation oncologist. If I hadn’t I would still be strung up like a chicken for a very uncomfortable session every day! He came in to see if he could adjust it. Well, heck yes. Easy peasy. I’m learning the techs do not feel empowered to make any decisions. I hate to stare at name badges but I wonder if they are even nurses. Back to itching. Is that cream MiraCream? I think my dr mentioned it in passing. Good to know about it so you can get it quieted down. Scratching can make it worse.