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.
You will receive Aquaphor, a petroleum-based cream. Begin using Aquaphor as soon as your told by the radiation oncology nurse. Use Aquaphor only if you are instructed to do so by your doctor or nurse.
Do NOT scrub. Dry treatment area with a clean, soft towel. Gently pat dry. Apply an emollient cream, such as Aquaphor or Eucerin, to moisturize the skin in the treated area following a shower.
Use soothing creams or salves: For mild irritation, itching and burning, you can apply an aloe vera preparation. Or try an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. Spread the cream thinly over the affected area 3 times per day but not 1 hour prior to treatment.
Scar tissue from radiation therapy
The skin usually becomes red and inflamed and often darker in colour. This skin discolouration can last for months. Looking after the skin, minimising the inflammation and hydrating with an oil such as Bio-Oil and protecting the skin barrier can improve recovery.
The soreness usually goes away within 2 to 4 weeks of ending the treatment. Towards the end of the radiotherapy, the skin might break down, especially under the breast. Your nurse will use special dressings to cover and protect the area. The area usually heals up over a couple of weeks.
What can I do to help radiation burns? Some patients find relief by using Aquaphor, Cetaphil, aloe vera gel, body butter and other topical products. While it's typically a good idea to keep the affected area moisturized, make sure you talk to your doctor before applying any topical products to your radiation burns.
Cetaphil is a good option for treating radiation skin burns. It can help soothe the skin and reduce redness and irritation. It is important to keep the skin clean and moisturized to help promote healing.
Think natural
There's good evidence to suggest that both aloe vera and calendula are really helpful natural ingredients for itchy skin after radiotherapy, with calendula being shown to reduce pain, skin reactions and pain, and aloe vera to relieve itchiness and heat. Calendula is one of Balmonds' mainstays.
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It's also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.
For this reason, it's safest to stick to simple formulas like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Dove Original White Beauty Bar (both soap-free cleansing options) and Cetaphil Moisturizing Body & Face Lotion (to lock in hydration).
Don't wear tight clothing over the treatment area. It's important not to rub, scrub or scratch any sensitive spots. Also avoid putting anything that is very hot or very cold—such as heating pads or ice packs—on your treated skin.
Redness or darkening of the skin: The skin may become red on white skin, and darken on darker skin. It can also be painful. Dry, peeling, or blistered skin: A person's skin in the treatment area may become extremely dry and peel. If the skin peels faster than it is able to heal, a person may develop blistered sores.
This medication is used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations (such as diaper rash, skin burns from radiation therapy).
Bathe or shower daily using warm water and a mild unscented soap, such as Neutrogena®, Dove®, baby soap, Basis®, or Cetaphil®.
Use mild unscented soap (such as Dove, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Pears). You may also use baby soap in the treatment area. Use baby shampoo if your scalp is in the treatment area.
Conclusions. The use of coconut oil as a treatment strategy for xerostomia post-HNC radiation is feasible, inexpensive, and safe.
Most emollients can be used safely and effectively with no side effects. However, burning, stinging, redness, or irritation may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Today, Miaderm Radiation Relief Lotion is trusted by patients and treatment centers across North America to reduce radiation effects on the skin, soothe and restore damaged skin, and reduce or eliminate breaks in treatment.
Radiation can give you fatigue that gets worse over time (called cumulative fatigue). It usually lasts 3 to 4 weeks after your treatment stops, but it can continue for up to 3 months. Hormone therapy deprives the body of estrogen, and that can lead to fatigue that may last throughout your treatment or longer.
Abstract. 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.