Armpit Radiation Severe Burn

ShakeNBake

Hi, I have been a peeping tom on this site but finally joined today. My armpit is redder than red, peeling skin, and hurts like a &^$#@!. Doc gave me Radiaplex gel, hydrocortisone 1%, and lidocaine 2%. She said I can use the Radiaplex gel as much as I want, same goes for hydrocortisone. She said to use the lidocaine sparingly due to possible heart problems it can cause. Only position my skin likes is my arm up in the air or lying down with it above my head. I am in the boost part of my radiation therapy. Any help on what worked for you? How long after radiation therapy stopped did your skin improve?

doxie

So sorry you are having so much pain.  My armpit wasn't the focus of rads, but it got enough radiation that the pain was intense.  Absolutely the worst of it.  Though not as bad as yours.  

It will get better and should heal without issues.  Usually takes a good week after your last rad to get to it's worse, then slowly gets better, maybe much better two weeks after the last rads.  I wasn't allowed to use anything but cornstarch until after rads.  Keeping skin from touching skin or cloth worked best for me.  Not sure you are doing any more than you can.  

encyclias

Shake, are you taking any pills for pain?  Whatever works for you.

My armpit is getting a bit of 'overspray' from the electron boosts (1st was Fri) and it is reddish, and tender if I rub it, but no skin breaks yet.  I really hope that continues.

Hoping you feel much better soon.

Carol

Moderators

These articles may also be helpful:
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/radiation/ask_expert/question_13

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/radiation/skin/care

Thinking of you, 

Your Mods

ShakeNBake

Thanks Doxie

ShakeNBake

Thanks Carol

Letlet

I had horrible rad burns, they actually got worse after I ended. Delayed reaction I suppose because they nuke you from the inside out. I was prescribed Silvadene and it helped dry the open blisters that burst. I had to ask for pain meds because it was intense. This was two years ago and I had PT to go over a lot of issues with thr skin and muscles in the area...nowadays it just seems like a distant bad dream. Hope yours does not get worse

melmcbee

Ditto what Letlet said. Silvadene healed me quick and I drank plenty of water and took pain pills. Hope you feel better soon

Joanne_53

I found that wearing shelf lined bras and light tshirts helped ... Inside out. I found if I kept the skin apart it helped keep the moisture off it. Also cornstarch powder puffs ...

zap

I saw the title of this thread and knew I needed to step in.  I had horrible burns (the skin was black) under my arm.I actually think the team was a bit irresponsible to continue.  I finally saw a doctor and she ordered these burn gel pads.  It was like instant relief.  I asked what took them so long as I  went through tubes of cream with no relief and they said that these burn dressings are so expensive !!!!!!.  They come in sheets and you keep them in the refridge.  You cut it to fit around the underarm and tape it y.  The underarm is awkward.  I know you can get them online but they are ver expensive.  Any hospital that has a burn unit has them. Google "burn gel dressings" or "pads" and you will find it.

Good luck!

GoWithTheFlow

My underarm is pretty black and very sore.  It appears it's starting to break down.  Noticing very light colored spots throughout the blackish area.  I finished my rads yesterday.  last night I was finally able to use my frogg togg cooling towel and it felt great.  Didn't use it before then because the one time I did, I noticed it took off my sharpie markings.  

I've also been mixing aquafor with lidocaine gel.  That helps along with my pain meds.

The good news is, everyone says as soon as you hit the turning point and it starts healing, it heals fairly quickly.

Joanne_53

Another thing that helped was saline soaks ... I just used sea salt in boiling water ... Let the water cool and use a cloth ... Let it lay on the skin for relief.