Living with cancer
posted by Resolute
04 July 2013

Radiotherapy and all things underarm

Last reply: 09 July 2013 11:10

Hi folks!
Hope this finds you all well on this beautiful day!!
Can anyone tell me how they got around not being able to use spray deodorant and shave under their arm during treatment?? I feel I'll go crazy without my deo as its the first thing I reach for after my shower Image removed. and if I can't shave under my arm what are my optioins?? It's these SIMPLE questions that keep me awake at night Image removed.

Thanks !!

8 comments

Comments

commented by Ania
04 July 2013

04 July 2013 15:50

Hi resolute,

I used an electric razor under my arm once or twice during treatment. I used organic roll on under my good arm and nothing under bad arm, you just have to put up with it I guess for a little while. I wore loose fitting cotton clothes. I used loads of e45 cream and noticed a real difference if i left the site exposed to the air for an hour before bed!

commented by Kathleen
04 July 2013

04 July 2013 20:11

Hi,

Even a year later I hardly ever sweat under the arm that was treated. I think the sweat glands got blasted Image removed..

Also there is a lot less underarm hair on that side. It never fully grew back.

Be patient for now

Kath

commented by Carkey
04 July 2013

04 July 2013 21:59

Hi there

First time posting here!!

I am in the same boat - have two sessions of radiotherapy left and a bit of hair under that arm.

The unwanted hair is shooting up after chemo - if only head hair would grow at same rate!

I cant recall are we allowed was under there ever?

Also, is there anyone that thinks they have gained facial hair after chemo. Was never a problem before and i was wondering if it is anything to do with tamoxifen. Its very light and fair but its there!

Annoyed when we dont have hair and annoyed when it comes back Image removed.

THanks

commented by WicklowLady
04 July 2013

04 July 2013 23:24

Ha ha I'm not on tamoxifen but I've downy fluff down beside my ears but its very soft and light

commented by Resolute
05 July 2013

05 July 2013 11:22

Hello again everyone!

Thank you for all the comments! I think I'll try Ania'a approach and use an elecrtic razor if and when I can. Hello Carkey and welcome aboard!! Not sure about the tamoxifen - I have very dark hair so I've always had a problem with facial lip hair (always saying I'd get laser treatment and never getting around to it Image removed. ) I wonder if because tamoxifen is blocking our 'female' hormone does that allow the 'male' hormones to be more prevalent??? Also, on the underarm issue I read that you can dust lightly with cornflour instead of deodorant - anyone try this??

Resolute

commented by Kathleen
05 July 2013

05 July 2013 11:48

Hi,

Welcome Carkey, though sorry you had to join us of course.

Good news on the downy hair - it comes from the steroids you got during chemo, not from Tamoxifen and it's temporary Image removed.

See this old thread;

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=894&hilit=eyebrow

All the best

Kath

commented by elizo
05 July 2013

05 July 2013 15:32

Hi
The radiographer told me to carry some baby wipes around with me to freshen up the water based ones beginning with h and to spray some perfume behind my ear. She said they don't mind you not been shaved as it is necessary because you will get very tender with treatment.
Liz

commented by TrJen
09 July 2013

09 July 2013 11:10

Hi resolute

I used baby wipes and sometimes my simple face wipes, as I had been told to use simple soap/ shower gel on my body .

Trish

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