Cancer Discussions, Cancer Treatment Options Forum - February 21st, 2010 - 3 Comments
What are the most common ways to reduce skin reaction during radiation treatments for cancer?
During radiation therapy treatment, what are some ways that the therapists minimize skin reactions?
Don’t know where your radiation is aimed at, but mine was skull and I didn’t really change anything. I used my regular shampoo and conditioner, just gently rubbed my hand over the area. I used my face moisturizer on the area, just not into the incision area because it wasn’t healed yet. Nurse told me I could use mederma to soften the scar area, just not right before my treatment. My doc just told me not to burn it with the hair dryer or scrape a brush over it.
It does depend on where your receiving rads.
- the summer after having rads it’s best to avoid direct sun light due to burns and skin irritation.
- avoid lotions, creams, and other agents. sometimes it best to ask about your soap too with your rads onc dr
- you can get a chemical agent and add it to your clothing, or buy clothing that has it own uv blocking agent
-depending on the area (near chest,shoulder my case) i couldn’t wear d.o. creams while having rads but soon after was allowed again
If your receiving rads, or you know someone who has its best that you ask the nurse or onc dr just to make sure.
Most the time the ONC has marks made whether they are permanent tattoo’s or temps so they can locate the area they are giving rads too, in this case if they are temp they do not want you using soap on those marks
There is a lot of information about avoiding radiotherapy ‘burns’ on http://www.after-cancer.com – and advice about keeping on with cream four times a day!
And useful info such as using liquid fabric conditioner, not cloths, etc.
Good luck, and hope this is useful
Verite R