You can try to relieve your symptoms using topical creams, NSAIDs, or surgery, but hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the only treatment available to stimulate the internal healing needed to overcome the effects of radiation.
Treating radiation skin burns typically involves cooling the area with cold compresses, protecting the area from further damage, and applying topical ointments or creams to help speed up the healing process. Oral medications such as steroids may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation and pain.
After surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, extra protein is usually needed to heal tissues and help fight infection. Good sources of protein include fish, poultry, lean red meat, eggs, low-fat dairy products, nuts and nut butters, dried beans, peas and lentils, and soy foods.
Radiation burns occur soon after treatment, but due to the body's reduced capacity to heal, skin damage can last for months or years without proper intervention. This is especially true since radiation treatments are scheduled in quick succession, limiting the time your skin has to heal and repair between doses.
Don't use any powders, creams, perfumes, deodorants, body oils, ointments, lotions, or home remedies in the treatment area while you're being treated or for several weeks afterward (unless approved by your doctor or nurse).
Radiation resistance is a serious issue in radiotherapy. Increasing evidence indicates that the human gut microbiome plays a role in the development of radiation resistance. Vitamin D is an important supplement for cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.
Often the side effects are worse at the end of treatment, or even a week or two afterwards, because it takes time for the healthy cells to recover from radiation. Most side effects are temporary and go away in time, usually within a few weeks of treatment finishing.
Aquaphor® is often recommended to patients for general skin care. (Your health care team will give you a sample and a coupon for Aquaphor). If your skin becomes dry or itches and your doctor approves, apply the product to the treatment areas after radiation. Do not apply the product to the treatment marking lines.
Like Aquaphor, Eucerin is also non-irritating and fragrance-free. “Eucerin was recommended by my radiation doctor and she made sure to emphasize the continual use of it throughout the radiation treatment,” said Miami, FL Breastie Karina Castro.
His final recommendation is vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that may also help combat stress, at a dose of 250-500mg per day. If you had radiation to the left breast (near where you heart is), you may also consider taking CoEnzyme Q10 60-100mg in a soft gel capsule to protect your heart muscle after radiation.
Take a Radiation-Neutralizing Bath Following Your Scan
Dissolve one to two pounds of salt with one to two pounds of baking soda in a hot bath, and soak for 40 minutes. Radiation is acidifying to the body, while a salt and baking soda soak is highly alkaline, which helps to neutralize radiation's effect.
Try to get at least 150 to 300 minutes of exercise at a moderate level of intensity every week. You can do this by exercising for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. The table in the “Exercise Intensity Levels” section gives examples of moderate-intensity exercises. Aim for 2 to 3 strength training sessions a week.
Bathe or shower daily using warm water and a mild unscented soap, such as Neutrogena®, Dove®, baby soap, Basis®, or Cetaphil®.
Avoid very hot and very cold water. 2. Use mild unscented soap (such as Dove, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Pears). You may also use baby soap in the treatment area.
Keeping skin clean during radiation
Avoid hot water. Wash with mild, pH balanced soap like Dove® or Basis®. Use a mild shampoo such as baby shampoo. Stay away from harsh soaps or any soap that is not pH balanced or neutral.
To date, Aquaphor has, in our opinion, proven the most efficient remedy in combating the burning pain of radiation effects on the skin.
Some people are recommended E45 but there are loads of really good creams you could use such as Aveeno or MooGoo. You can also use a 99% Aloe Vera gel concurrently with this which really helps with healing but this is up to you.
Some essential oils that have been studied for their effectiveness in treating radiation-induced skin damage include lavender, rose, chamomile, geranium, and helichrysum. These oils have been found to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, skin-healing, and skin-protection properties.
Fatigue usually builds up slowly during the course of treatment, particularly towards the end, and may last for some weeks or months after treatment finishes. Many people find that they cannot do as much as they normally would, but others are able to continue their usual activities.
More than 60% of NPC patients receiving curative-intent radiotherapy suffered from a weight loss greater than 5% during the treatment [8], [9].
Most people start to feel tired after a few weeks of radiation therapy.