Help ... Radiotherapy skin care.

Hi G
I finished radiotherapy at the end of January. 28 sessions in St Lukes in Beaumont. I know that each centre advises you on how they want you to look after your skin but I was advised to use E45 cream ( not the lotion). I got a big tub of it in the local chemist. I was advised to use it morning and evening but if my rad session was in the morning( up to 1pm) not to use it on those mornings. I also used E 45 shower cream as there is nothing in it that can harm the skin. Your skin can get quite pink so its really important to keep up with the cream regime. I met some women whos skin had become very burned and had blistered but thankfully that didnt happen to me and I put that down to the E45 and being regimental about it. Also get yourself a soft bra that wont irritate you and when you are at home, take it off and if you can sit topless for a while every day( without getting yourself arrested!!) to let the air at your body you will find it really helps as it keeps the skin cool( it gets a little hot after a week or so) . The hair under my arm never grew whilst undergoing therapy so hopefully you will find that the same happens to you. I was advised that I could start using " normal" stuff about 4 weeks after treatment ended. I still use the E45 cream after a shower as I find that my skin has become quite sensitive after all the chemo and rads. The nurses are great at advising you and the radiographers will alert them if they think your skin is starting to burn.
The best of luck with the treatment, you will fly it.

Sx

Hey G,

I had 18 sessions of RT and apart from a fair bit of tiredness and achy legs (felt like I was about 80 there for a while! But it didn't last) I found it all OK.

It's like having a full-time job - getting up and heading out every morning. And sometimes that was the hardest part.

My skin behaved very well for the most part and I put that down to doing exactly what I was told!! I can't remember who gave me this tip but it was by far and away the best tip I could have gotten during my whole treatment: Pop a small container of aqueous cream in your handbag and lash it on straight away after each session before getting dressed again. And then the second lot in the evenings before putting on PJs.I think it's important that you put some on before getting into bed for during the night. But if you wash it off in the mornings before you head into treatment then I think that's ok. If you feel like putting a third lot on during the day I don't think it'd do any harm.

Do try and go bra-less as much as you can while at home. You'll know yourself what ends up feeling comfortable and uncomfortable.

Also I know the not shaving/deo thing is a pain but freshening up with baby wipes worked for me - only don't pull at your skin too much. Baby oil is also very good at cleaning off the pen marks that they put on you. The RT slowed down the hair re-growth anyway so it wasn't a massive concern. And it'll fly anyway so don't worry too much about it.

Shower-wise I used all baby products and liked them all so much I'm still using them, although I've gone back to my own body moisturisers etc. I can't stand the feeling of too much moistureiser on my skin (especially with the hot flushes now) so there was no way I was sticking with the aqueous for longer than absolutely necessary (about a month before heading back into shaving/deo).

I did get quite pink and the following week after my last RT the scar under my arm got tight and a little crusty. It was kinda sore but only lasted a few days. It was all quite normal.

So hopefully, if you do exactly as you're told things should go ok for you. I'll have my fingers crossed for you that it goes smoothly.

Hi
I had 33 radio sessions with very little problems feeling old and stiff was the worst. My skin behaved very well and the nurses kept an eye and told me when to use extra cream it got quite red at one stage and I was prescribed steroid cream which i never needed! What I wasn't aware of is that rt also has exit site so it is important to moisturise those areas too.

Good luck with it
Madge x

Hi there!
Just reading your post about care during radiotherapy was gas - I had [i:2r580j9d][u:2r580j9d][b:2r580j9d]completely [/b:2r580j9d][/u:2r580j9d][/i:2r580j9d]forgotten what it was like.
Definitely moisturise, moisturise, moisturise as much as you can - E45, aqueous cream, whatever works so long as there is nothing in it. And if you can gently wash it off before radiotherapy. Madge is right about the exit burn - don't forget to moisturise that regularly too, and wash the moisturiser off that before radiotherapy also.
I used to bring cream with me after treatment - towards the end I also had to use bandages and a special gel so that worked a treat - got burns but luckily didn't blister.
Take care, best of luck with it