lotion on nip won't absorb- cakes dry

poetjanet

I've been using Baird special care cream as I was instructed to do, about three times a day, sometimes up to six on nipple inparticular because it is so sore and tender.  Once or twice a day I may try to fit in Lily of the Desert, Aloe Vera.  For about the last week, the lotion won't absorb any more on most of my nipple.  It just dries and cakes.  I tried to wash it off, but I don't want to "scrub" it, that would really hurt.  I tried puttng on emu oil to see if that might loosen some of it, but it only irritated my breast.  I told them that my nipple was sore and tender, so they handed me, Biafine, which is a prescription lotion.  I was hopeful, as I've heard it mentioned here on these boards.  The reason I was trying to do what I could to get the other lotion off, is I felt the Biafine may not work well being put on top of the other that was caked on. I had the same results with the Biafine.  Just caked dry.  It also hurt after one application.

I fear there won't be anything that will make this better, especially since I'm supposed to keep going back to have more damage done to this skin that is already not working properly.  I have one small area of my nipple that will still absorb lotion, but the rest of it, just doesn't work right anymore, and I have only finished 17 treatments.  I don't want to do this anymore.  I only have a couple windows in the middle of the night, and for a little while in the morning that I am not wasted with fatigue, and I am scared to death of my nipple getting worse to where I just cannot cope anymore. I have a very low pain tolerance. I am frankly begging God for my husband and my doctor to let me stop, and just use natural means to fight this from here on out.

konakat

Hi Janet,

When I was getting rads they gave me a cream called aquafor and it seemed to work.  If you rads people don't have it you can probably get it at a pharmacy.  Have you tried dabbing on the lotion right after a shower or bath?  Your skin will be moist and the lotion might trap the moisture in the skin and help.  My collarbone got really burnt and the cream did help a bit but eventually I had to wait for it to flake away to heal.  It must be so painful to be on your nipple.  As awful as it is, I hope you do continue to get the full benefit of the rads.  Your radiologist must find something to help you -- nag the crap out of him/her for a solution, some heavy-duty prescription cream.  Wish I was more help -- hopefully some women who experience the same thing will come up with a good solution.  Take care, and very gentle hugs,

Elizabeth

pk0199

Janet, not to scare you, I was one of those rare ones who burned quite badly. The best thing I found was to put whatever cream or solution you are using on like Konakat said right after showering then put a sterile piece of guaze on, no tape!! Do not tape it on! Use your bra to hold it on. Actually don't put your cream or whatever on your skin, you will irritate it, slather it on the guaze then place it on your breast. The nurses had my whole breast bandaged like that and honestly that was the only way it was comfortable. If you have any questions please feel free to pm me.

poetjanet

hello Konakat and Pk109,

 Thank you for the suggestions.  i had tried aquaphor about three weeks ago, and it seemed to feel irritating.  i saw someone talking about using curcumin for radiation burns.  It's the yellow spice that is in curry.  i even tried it topically.  however, since what ever i was putting on it would not get absorbed, i came to radiation with a yellow powdered breast. (I had made a paste with curcumin and aloevera).  the nurse after radiation put aquaphor on it, and low and behold, finally here was something to ease off the other stuff that was caked on my breast. they put that gel pad thing on me, but I find that irritating also.  I go around with my breast open to the air at home while people are at work or school or asleep with a thick layer of aquaphor, just on the nipple.  I use my other cream, and aloevera on the rest of the breast.  I may try oragel just for when I need to go out  and want some extra  pain relief.  i did a search, and saw someone that said it helped a sore nipple.

I was greatly relieved to find out that the "boosts" are only to the lumpectomy cavity, so the last five probably won't hit my sore nipple, as the cancer was on the bottom half of the breast. 

thanks ladies!

blessings,

 Janet