Post Rads: Super dry, Super sensitive skin (rosacea)

mummommama

Hello folks,

I'm 3 weeks out from radiation but the dry skin on my whole body just seems to get worse. It may be less bad than I think elsewhere, but on my face it's worse than I've ever had it. I'm also taking tamoxifen. I'm not sure which is the culprit or whether its a combination. At any rate, I'm needing some advice.

My skin is SUPER sensitive so I have to be very careful with the moisturizers I use. I also have rosacea and have special skin treatments for it which work great, except that now there is not enough moisture - even in the stuff I put on my radiation burns - to keep it at bay for more than an hour. I've been using clinique super hydradtion masque and lotion but they last so briefly I may as well use nothing. I'm literally slathering on the same cream I use on my radiation burns, on my face, which is totally new to me. I'm risking an outbreak but also can't stand how totally dry this is!

Any advice? I don't even mind a product endorsement if it will help with this and not let me turn red or break out in acne!

GrammyR

mummo- So sorry you are having a rough time. I wonder if some type of reaction to the Tamoxifen is the culprit. I am kinda in a similar situation. I am two weeks finished RADS tomorrow and was lucky enough not to have any real burning until the past few days. Mine is around neck and collar bone and back of right shoulder . I called my RO their NP on Monday use " Aquaphor" only but it is just made of same stuff as Vaseline and way to sticky to put on such a raw area. Today I am starting a little peeling ( looked like brown flecks on the cotton swab) I was not sure even what it was but sure enough peeling. Anyway I got a bunch of creams at Walgreens and have been using one that has Hydrocortisone with aloe and petroleum. It is more liquid type of cream and dabs on easier. Just messy- even a cotton tee rubs. Where did they radiate you?. Reaction on the face does not sound like BC Rads. I was also just put on Tamoxifen and had to stop after 4 weeks as I got really bad pain over my liver and mood swings. My neuropathy pain got worse too . I see my MO on Friday who will not be happy I stopped.

I am mad that at the end of RADS they tell you to come back in 1 month especially when right after finishing seems to be when the effects are worse. I am told everyone is different. My daughter in law said she could not believe they don't give you a care pack of cream/lotion to use. My RADS center was in the basement and very dreary I felt bad for the techs in that depressing environment every day. They were so nice but do not have spare time in between patients to talk much.

Please talk to both RO and MO about your reaction. Using a lot of name brand masks and such may be a little too soon after treatment finished. I was told the RADS keeps working on you even beyond the last week. Gentle hugs.Hope it improves quickly. Mine was a little better today. Even showering was painful.

DeliriumPie

mum. I just started rads today, so I don't know a lot about that part, but your post caught my eye because I have been panic stricken about rads due to my extremely sensitive skin and severe rosacea. During my first rounds of chemo, my tried and true face products stopped giving me enough moisture. I switched back to isomers products and have been very pleased. They provide lasting moisture and softness and don't irritate my rosacea at all. Might be worth a try. They are cheapest on qvc.com. If you are interested, I can give you the list of which ones have been best for me.

Also, since I just started, this has not been out to the test yet. But the rad techs and nurses swear by a cream called Remedy. The pharmacy at my cancer center sells it but you can find almost anything on amazon. They say they can always tell who uses it from the condition of their skin. Just some thoughts for you. I hope it gets better.

GrammyR

Deliriumpie- Just  quick update to let you know things clear up quite quickly after RADS finished. My worst was 1 week and 2 weeks post. Now almost all peeled and new skin layer mildly tender but not. severe at all. I m still using a cortisone based cream that helps the burning but will switch to long term healing one soon.