← Return to My Dad has terrible burns from radiation. Any suggestions to help?

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@pigpen50

My husband received very high dosages of radiation (5 days/week for 6 weeks) for base of tongue and lymph node cancer in his neck in the summer of 2017.The skin burns were very significant. May I pass along a treatment suggested by our radiation oncology nurse. Take 1 part white vinegar mixed with 4 parts water, soak a white cotton cloth and wring out excess ( I cut up men's white 100% cotton t-shirts). Place on burnt area for 15 minutes, remove and let area air dry. I am not lying...it does sting!!!, but gets better! Then liberally apply 1% Silver Sulfadiazine Cream (prescription). Do this 4 times a day. Be sure you use very clean cloths and a clean shirt every time. Within 3 weeks burns were completely healed. Check with your radiation oncologist before using this. Our nurse has 25 years of experience in this field and knows a lot of "out of the box" treatments. Aquaphor was no help for him. Good luck!

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Replies to "My husband received very high dosages of radiation (5 days/week for 6 weeks) for base of..."

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!! We have a home health nurse coming tomorrow to evaluate his burns.We will ask the Drs on Monday.Thank you again.I will keep you updated.

How long was each treatment....30 min??

Hi @pigpen50 and @margieinia, I see that this discussion encouraged each of you to make your first post on Connect. Your experiences with your husbands' cancer of the base of the tongue will be helpful to members of the Head & Neck Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/). In fact, I'd like to invite you to take part in these discussions:

* Adenoid cystic carcinoma - left tongue base https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adenoid-cystic-carcinoma-left-tongue-base/
* Life after head and neck cancer treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/life-after-head-and-neck-cancer-treatment/
* Depression and anxiety, and Head & Neck Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/depression-and-anxiety-1/

@margieinia, I was thinking about you. I believe your husband had a followup appointment this week.

I am about to start radiation. 16 weeks/5 days week and 30 min. sessions. Is this 30 session usual? A friend has said it seems too long.

Awesome good to know. I pray you guys are doing well. I’ve been diagnosed with the same type and starting treatments May 9th. Will all be getting same number of treatments as well as 4 rounds of Chemo. Did he have any troubles eating and swallowing? And if so what did you do?
Thanks