Itchy skin after completing radiation therapy?

I'm new and did not expect to feel itchy on the third day! I'd been using real aloe. Sliced it up each morning, etc, slapped it on after treatment. Used aquaphor at home. I thought, oh no! when I felt the itch. It was so early. So I switched to Fruit of the Earth aloe gel, which I'd also bought ahead of time but had not yet used. (You can find it on Amazon or a pharmacy.) The gel provided a thicker layer than the genuine stuff and seemed to be quickly absorbed. The itching stopped. I put it on every two hours. Also, be sure to hydrate. I drink a lot of water and I'm avoiding any Christmas cocktail or caffeine for now. Both are dehydrating.

Fingers crossed. I am just starting on my second of three weeks. Holding my breath (literally, during treatments) . Best of luck to you!

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!

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.

My Drs gave me Vanicream and it works great. I was using everyday. I was done with radiation July 5th and was told I might be itchy for a while. As of Dec 7(today). I'm good, but I still put it on after a shower.

I wish all I had was itchy skin. After 16 treatment I an red peeling and sore. Using aquafor, burn cream and hydrocortisone 1%. I am 2 weeks after last treatment. Luckily I am not tired at all, but my ribs have been sore from holding my breath so long. Both ribs, not just on radiated side. I think it’s ligaments and muscle inflammation. I think it’s Costochondritis.
Good luck. Moisturize a few things a day they say.

I put some Triple Antibiotic, Firts aid ointment on last night and my itching has stopped and it helped heal a raw spot I had over night . I’m amazed, my burn feels so much better now. And thank you for the information, I appreciate it very much, Have a Happy Holiday season

I most docs don’t recommend antibiotic ointment/cream anymore. Mine recommended Vitamin E, so I bought a bottle of pills and puncture them. I healed beautifully.