Hi, I'm the wife of a cancer head/throat cancer. When my husband started get the radiation burns, he used Aquaphor. We went through tons of tubes, but we found that if you kept them in the refrigerator it helped with cooling down the site faster. My husband also found it was easier for him to sleep in his recliner then laying down in bed. Even tho we are done with chem/radiation so far, he hasn't' returned to sleeping in the bed yet. We go next week for a PT Scan and cancer doctor followup on Fri to see if the cancer is still there and treatment worked.
When I received 6 weeks of radiation in the early 80's I was told not to get the area wet so I would not burn, therefore I took an old fashion sink bath for the next 6 weeks. I did not experience any burning. Fortunately the area radiated was not where it would receive any water. However, the internal damage did not show up for 20 years. The lower left quadrant of my abdomen was the area that was radiated. A small section of my bladder, sigmoid and small intestine received most of the radiation. (The left groin lymph node was the targeted area and the radiation worked.) I now have a third kidney, 10 years, because the bladder was hit with the radiation and an ostomy, 4 years, as well as a third of my GI track removed since the sigmoid and small intestines received a full dose of the radiation. The doctors did not expect me to live as long as I have and things have changed so much because of improvements made in the last 40 years when it comes to chemo and radiation. I have no regrets what I have been through if it made the radiated areas smaller and more intense for those who receive it today.
Sorry, I was not able to help with what to do from radiation burns but I hope that what I was able to share was informative and helped a small amount. Good luck.
mlmcg
@mimz59 Hope your dad gets relief from his burns and that he is on his way back to health.
Saw this on breastcancer.org for radiation burns--If your skin forms a blister or peels in a wet way, leave the top of the blister alone! The bubble keeps the area clean while the new skin grows back underneath. If the blister opens, the exposed raw area can be painful and weepy. Keep the area relatively dry and wash it with warm water only. Blot the area dry and then apply a NON–ADHERENT dressing, such as Xeroform dressings (laden with soothing petroleum jelly) or "second skin" dressings made by several companies. To relieve discomfort from blistering or peeling, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, or ask your doctor for a prescription if you need it.
Also, ask your doctor for a stronger steroid cream available by prescription. Examples include 2.5% hydrocortisone cream and bethamethasone.
Hi, I'm the wife of a cancer head/throat cancer. When my husband started get the radiation burns, he used Aquaphor. We went through tons of tubes, but we found that if you kept them in the refrigerator it helped with cooling down the site faster. My husband also found it was easier for him to sleep in his recliner then laying down in bed. Even tho we are done with chem/radiation so far, he hasn't' returned to sleeping in the bed yet. We go next week for a PT Scan and cancer doctor followup on Fri to see if the cancer is still there and treatment worked.
My radiation oncologist prescribed a cream that contained silver to treat the burns I experienced in the area where my breast joined the chest wall (that was 18 years ago, so I don't recall the name of it).
My radiation oncologist prescribed a cream that contained silver to treat the burns I experienced in the area where my breast joined the chest wall (that was 18 years ago, so I don't recall the name of it).
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!
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.
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!
Hi @mimz59, welcome. @marykaym63@beman@starrlight are a few members who have mentioned radiation burn in the past and may be able to provide their experiences and solutions. @alpaca may have some thoughts too.
Mimz, what has the radiation oncologist or therapists suggested for the burns? It must be so painful and difficult for him to get sleep.
Thank you so much for adding me to other groups.We are using Aquaphor.We also got some 4% lidocaine cream over the counter.He was going to try to sleep sitting up.
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Thanks so much for the info.Will try putting it in the fridge.I hope your husband gets good news from his Pet Scan.Prayers coming your way..
When I received 6 weeks of radiation in the early 80's I was told not to get the area wet so I would not burn, therefore I took an old fashion sink bath for the next 6 weeks. I did not experience any burning. Fortunately the area radiated was not where it would receive any water. However, the internal damage did not show up for 20 years. The lower left quadrant of my abdomen was the area that was radiated. A small section of my bladder, sigmoid and small intestine received most of the radiation. (The left groin lymph node was the targeted area and the radiation worked.) I now have a third kidney, 10 years, because the bladder was hit with the radiation and an ostomy, 4 years, as well as a third of my GI track removed since the sigmoid and small intestines received a full dose of the radiation. The doctors did not expect me to live as long as I have and things have changed so much because of improvements made in the last 40 years when it comes to chemo and radiation. I have no regrets what I have been through if it made the radiated areas smaller and more intense for those who receive it today.
Sorry, I was not able to help with what to do from radiation burns but I hope that what I was able to share was informative and helped a small amount. Good luck.
mlmcg
@mimz59 Hope your dad gets relief from his burns and that he is on his way back to health.
Saw this on breastcancer.org for radiation burns--If your skin forms a blister or peels in a wet way, leave the top of the blister alone! The bubble keeps the area clean while the new skin grows back underneath. If the blister opens, the exposed raw area can be painful and weepy. Keep the area relatively dry and wash it with warm water only. Blot the area dry and then apply a NON–ADHERENT dressing, such as Xeroform dressings (laden with soothing petroleum jelly) or "second skin" dressings made by several companies. To relieve discomfort from blistering or peeling, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, or ask your doctor for a prescription if you need it.
Also, ask your doctor for a stronger steroid cream available by prescription. Examples include 2.5% hydrocortisone cream and bethamethasone.
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Hug
4 ReactionsHi, I'm the wife of a cancer head/throat cancer. When my husband started get the radiation burns, he used Aquaphor. We went through tons of tubes, but we found that if you kept them in the refrigerator it helped with cooling down the site faster. My husband also found it was easier for him to sleep in his recliner then laying down in bed. Even tho we are done with chem/radiation so far, he hasn't' returned to sleeping in the bed yet. We go next week for a PT Scan and cancer doctor followup on Fri to see if the cancer is still there and treatment worked.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you so much for the info.I bet it was silvadene.Thanks again so much..
My radiation oncologist prescribed a cream that contained silver to treat the burns I experienced in the area where my breast joined the chest wall (that was 18 years ago, so I don't recall the name of it).
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.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy 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!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsThank you so much for adding me to other groups.We are using Aquaphor.We also got some 4% lidocaine cream over the counter.He was going to try to sleep sitting up.
Thank you so much for the info.We have been using Aquaphor and has not helped.We will try the Domeboro...