Help someone I need to talk to someone, is this normal?

shellbell1963

I have 9 more radiation treatments and my skin is screaming as well I would like to also. I tried chemo had adverse reactions so then decided to do radiation only. Well now I am wondering is the skin problems I am having normal or is it feeding skin cancer. Under my breast I have a lot of moisture that started itchy and raw. Now the skin is starting to pill and blistered. I have an area of pink fleshy skin, not big but burns like hell and itches. The doctor said it will heal because I am getting booster radiation at the tumor site and not that area. The doctor also gave me a crème to put on to try to heal it but it burns worse. Is this normal ladies, I am scared to think that this is skin cancer starting. Any advice would be so appreciated. I have been on this journey since December and my nerves are getting thin don't know how much more I can tolerate.

voraciousreader

shell....I'm sorry you are having a rough time.  The cream and body washes that the doctor gave me also made my skin more irritating and burning.  When I told the nurse, she gave me other samples to try.  Ask for something else.  If they don't help...call your dermatologist!

BookWoman

I think it is very unlikely that it is skin cancer. Reactions to radiation vary greatly from person to person. Some have severe reactions and some breeze through it with no problems. Most of us are somewhere in between. All are normal. Please don't add extra worry. Good luck and try not to relax (hard I know).

sheila888

shellbell...I can relate for everything happening to your skin

when i got radiation i experienced the same skin problems and those blisters hurt..

I was also given a prescription cream

when the blisters and raw skin is under the breast (like mine) it takes longer to heal

sorry for details but you can always hold that breast up to air the area I know too much detail but if you can try it

good luck

Hugs

Sheila♥

Denise-G

Radiation burns -- some people have it worse than others. So sorry you are experiencing these things!   Skin tone doesn't seem to matter.  Your Radiation Onc should be giving you more advice about this.  Insist upon it. Remember, they work for you!!   Silvadene, a prescription,helped me greatly.  My skin was red as a tomato and it peeled 2 weeks after I was done with Rads.  Everyone is different.  And do get that skin out in the air.

 

Moderators

Hi Shellbell,

We're so sorry to hear you're experiencing this side effect! 

The ladies here have already given some great advice and encouragement, but you may also want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's following pages, for some good tips to help manage this uncomfortable effect:

• Radiation Therapy: Managing Skin Side Effects
• Treatment Side Effects: Skin Sensitivity
• Skin Care

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

CTMOM1234

It's normal -- I experienced virtually the EXACT same under breast red raw weepy issues that you are experiencing. Best and only thing that provided relief was good old fashion air. No contact with anything (yes, made for some interesting positioning), my skin peeled and weeped a lot, it really was red rock lobster, which I hadn't expected both because I tan well and also because I followed all of the pre- and post-treatment skin care advice. Just unlucky.  And I, too, had boosts, and the rawness started healing as soon as the focus was shifted away from total breast and just on the scar targeted area.

Just hang in there, it is amazing how fast everything recovers!!!! PM if I can be of further assistance, been there, done that.

Summertime76

Shellbell,

I'm a very fair skinned and they were sure I would burn like crazy.  But I didnt because I used an Aloe Sunburn treatment immediately after my treatment when I was changing back into my clothes and every night I used Eucerin. Didnt even get red until the last treatments that were Intensive. Then the redness came but I truly feel the Aloe kept it under control so I just peeled.   I highly recommend Aloe as a treatment.  Remember that this is only for a short time. And as time goes on your body will heal from all that is being done to it.

Sunshineinky

You just described what I went through.  I finished rads 4 days ago and am completely healed.  Here is what healed me and greatly reduced my pain.  

1. Miaplex applied (it's a bandage) and left on for two days then changed.  It pulls the moisture out of the wound allowing it to heal and doesn't affect rads or pull healthy skin off.  

2. Silvadene on the areas that aren't to bad. 

3. Lidocaine jelly on none open areas for pain. 

I had a very severe reaction to rads.  So I can empathize.  I promise I am in no pain now, I have no open or red areas and I feel great.  

I was none traditionally treated at my rads center. I'm very good friends with a surgeon and he was so upset when he saw my wounds he went to see my RO.  They formulated this plan to get me well and it worked beautifully and kept me from taking a break in treatment.  I suspect it will be used in future treatments for people with severe burns. Good luck to you and hang in there!!!

BrooksideVT

I was so grateful to start boosts.  My area of sensitivity was my nipple and areola, and the boosts spared that area, which could then begin healing.  As long as you are having skin issues and concerns, please ask to see the nurse or doc every single visit.  Truly, they are used to this, and expect it, and you will find they consider your symptoms firmly in the expected range.  Also, do keep in mind that the techs are also aware of the normal range of skin reactions and will be quick to call in a doc should the see anything out of the ordinary.  In my case, the out of the ordinary issue was my absolute terror of everything.  An hour-long meeting with the head tech did wonders for my understanding of risk/reward and for my comfort with the treatment.