I had head and neck radiation and had burns toward the end. The doctor had recommended Aquaphor but I found that SSD (Silvadene) cream, aloe, Calendula lotion, and second skin topical strips provided the most relief. Like any burn, SSD relieves the pain but it is a prescription item. Ask your doctor for it. You can get a cortisone cream with calendula in it OTC. Just remember to clean all traces of lotion off before next treatment.
I’m on 7 radiation treatments into the 20 required for my right breast, which is isolated on the table used which has a hole where the right breast falls through. The first week I was fine, but used Aquaphor after treatment and before bed each night. Treatment # 6 & 7, I knew something had changed & last night I read up on radiation burn & realized the needle-like pains I was feeling, mostly around my lymph node scar, were from the radiation. I applied more Aquaphor, but it didn’t help for the first time. An hour later I tried my 2% hydrocortisone cream, but it didn’t help. I wiped it off carefully & got out my Aloe Gel for sunburn & took 2-500 mg Tylenol. I don’t think my doctor will want me to use the Aloe gel, but the combination gave me enough comfort to fall back to sleep at 3:30 am.
I go again today, as I will M-F through Feb 25th & hope my doctor will have a better solution for me than my middle of the night remedy.
I covered my face with silvadene right after radiation. A couple of hours later, I cleaned the silvadene, and applied layers of fresh aloe which I also put in my mouth. I was radiated for head and neck cancer. The doctor was amazed that my skin was doing so much better than other patients. He had me record a tape of how I prepared the aloe and applied it on my face. It is extremely soothing and kind of cooks after applying on skin. You can buy large aloe leaves in hispanic stores and some grocery shops. Cut the piece you are going to use, and that depends on the size of the burn. Carefully peal all the green, because it can stain your skin. You will end with a clear part of the aloe. Slice it in half if it is thick enough, and apply it to the radiated skin. You can also put it in a plastic bag, and keep it in the fridge. Apply it fresh but not too cold. You can turn it once the feeling of freshness stops. Once it becomes kind of milky color, replace it with a fresh layer.Keep it on the burn as long as possible. I hope this helps.
@sews I received radiation in 2001 for breast cancer following a lumpectomy and chemo. I went every day for 6.5 weeks. It took longer for me to get undressed and redressed (only had to remove upper clothing and wear a cape) than the actual radiation treatment which, once I was in the right position, only took a few minutes. No one I've talked to who has undergone cancer treatment has been given the same protocols--different chemos, different number of chemo treatments, some surgery only, some chemo first, some chemo after surgery, etc.--oncologists really tailor the treatment to each person. It's not unusual to have questions now that you have had some time to think--ask your doctor (and your doctor's nurse)--what to expect, what will happen as your treatment progresses, how to care for yourself and the area that will be treated, etc. I can tell you that as the weeks of treatment went by, I did feel tired and it took some months to get over--get plenty of rest and don't overdo. The last week, or two, I did have some radiation "burns" (nothing awful, just red and weepy) under the breast in the crease where the breast meets the chest. After these healed, if you knew what to look for, you could tell that my left breast was ever so slightly darker than the other side (still is). My skin otherwise looks the same on both sides. Thinking of you and wishing you all the best.
My head and neck radiation lasted about 30 minutes from being positioned with mask to the end. Actual radiation application was only 20-25 minutes of that. I suppose that everyone is different as far as the number of different angles that they use to target the area.
I had smaller facial burns from my radiation. I used second skin on the larger area......a moist compress/wrap that I believe is over the counter. It really helped at night. Otherwise the SSD cream is the best, as others have said.
Thanks Jackiemarie, It was the radiologist that said the treatments would be 30 min. each. I have spoken with a few people and they think this is an extra long time. The area is the head.........it is presently on the left side of tongue near the back. Surgery to remove has been done. This is just to catch any cancer left behind.
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I had head and neck radiation and had burns toward the end. The doctor had recommended Aquaphor but I found that SSD (Silvadene) cream, aloe, Calendula lotion, and second skin topical strips provided the most relief. Like any burn, SSD relieves the pain but it is a prescription item. Ask your doctor for it. You can get a cortisone cream with calendula in it OTC. Just remember to clean all traces of lotion off before next treatment.
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Hug
3 ReactionsI’m on 7 radiation treatments into the 20 required for my right breast, which is isolated on the table used which has a hole where the right breast falls through. The first week I was fine, but used Aquaphor after treatment and before bed each night. Treatment # 6 & 7, I knew something had changed & last night I read up on radiation burn & realized the needle-like pains I was feeling, mostly around my lymph node scar, were from the radiation. I applied more Aquaphor, but it didn’t help for the first time. An hour later I tried my 2% hydrocortisone cream, but it didn’t help. I wiped it off carefully & got out my Aloe Gel for sunburn & took 2-500 mg Tylenol. I don’t think my doctor will want me to use the Aloe gel, but the combination gave me enough comfort to fall back to sleep at 3:30 am.
I go again today, as I will M-F through Feb 25th & hope my doctor will have a better solution for me than my middle of the night remedy.
@nursemaven, what was the lotion you used for radiation burn? Wasn't it made from goat's milk or something?
I covered my face with silvadene right after radiation. A couple of hours later, I cleaned the silvadene, and applied layers of fresh aloe which I also put in my mouth. I was radiated for head and neck cancer. The doctor was amazed that my skin was doing so much better than other patients. He had me record a tape of how I prepared the aloe and applied it on my face. It is extremely soothing and kind of cooks after applying on skin. You can buy large aloe leaves in hispanic stores and some grocery shops. Cut the piece you are going to use, and that depends on the size of the burn. Carefully peal all the green, because it can stain your skin. You will end with a clear part of the aloe. Slice it in half if it is thick enough, and apply it to the radiated skin. You can also put it in a plastic bag, and keep it in the fridge. Apply it fresh but not too cold. You can turn it once the feeling of freshness stops. Once it becomes kind of milky color, replace it with a fresh layer.Keep it on the burn as long as possible. I hope this helps.
@sews I received radiation in 2001 for breast cancer following a lumpectomy and chemo. I went every day for 6.5 weeks. It took longer for me to get undressed and redressed (only had to remove upper clothing and wear a cape) than the actual radiation treatment which, once I was in the right position, only took a few minutes. No one I've talked to who has undergone cancer treatment has been given the same protocols--different chemos, different number of chemo treatments, some surgery only, some chemo first, some chemo after surgery, etc.--oncologists really tailor the treatment to each person. It's not unusual to have questions now that you have had some time to think--ask your doctor (and your doctor's nurse)--what to expect, what will happen as your treatment progresses, how to care for yourself and the area that will be treated, etc. I can tell you that as the weeks of treatment went by, I did feel tired and it took some months to get over--get plenty of rest and don't overdo. The last week, or two, I did have some radiation "burns" (nothing awful, just red and weepy) under the breast in the crease where the breast meets the chest. After these healed, if you knew what to look for, you could tell that my left breast was ever so slightly darker than the other side (still is). My skin otherwise looks the same on both sides. Thinking of you and wishing you all the best.
Thanks..........never thought it might be lower dose.....will check that out..
Never had radiation to the head, mine was to the lower abdomen, if it is for 16 weeks it could be you be you are getting a lower dosage.
Good luck,
mlmcg
My head and neck radiation lasted about 30 minutes from being positioned with mask to the end. Actual radiation application was only 20-25 minutes of that. I suppose that everyone is different as far as the number of different angles that they use to target the area.
I had smaller facial burns from my radiation. I used second skin on the larger area......a moist compress/wrap that I believe is over the counter. It really helped at night. Otherwise the SSD cream is the best, as others have said.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThanks Jackiemarie, It was the radiologist that said the treatments would be 30 min. each. I have spoken with a few people and they think this is an extra long time. The area is the head.........it is presently on the left side of tongue near the back. Surgery to remove has been done. This is just to catch any cancer left behind.