Itchy breast a long term side effect of rads

kdholt

Hi all!

I will soon be celebrating a 10 year cancer free anniversary and I’m ever thankful for that. However, I have been suffering from a very itchy breast off and on for 9.5 of those 10 years. Winter months are worse but I do get occasional summer flares. When the itching kicks in I would love to scratch my breast right off it’s so intense. And then sometimes after I’ve scratched myself silly my breast will be tender for several days. I also have lymphadema and wonder if this is the cause of the itching or is it a side effect of rads? Has anyone else experienced this this? Any thoughts

kdholt

Did I mention that I’m having a pretty good flare up at the moment? What causes the itch and then pain/sensitivity

mom0300

I have the same thing!! 2 years out - Radiation Oncologist sent me to dermatologist and she gave me a potent steroid cream to use when needed. It helps a lot.

KarenZ0305

Omg me too! I thought I had pagets! My MO said it was nothing and to use cream (which I do daily - aquafor). I never thought it would be rads! Thank you!

KarenZ0305

Omg me too! I thought I had pagets! My MO said it was nothing and to use cream (which I do daily - aquafor). I never thought it would be rads! Thank you!

mittmott

Many years ago I was told it was from the cutting of nerves from mast and reconstruction. I had rads 6 years before my mastectomy and didn't have the itching. I've had it since ten years out also.

Nancy2581

I have it too. I couldn't figure out why. I had a lumpectomy and some nerves were cut. I also have no feeling right behind my lumpectomy scar (on my back) - hard to explain, but I have a dead zone 🤔.

Nancy

Dustien

I've not had rads yet, but it's coming up.  I had, however, had a lifelong battle with itching.  For my feet I have a special bucket that fits both feet and fill it with as hot as water as I can stand and add Epsom salts.  It nearly always works for me.  Other parts of my body get super hot wash cloths put on them over and over until the itching stops.

If I get the itchy breasts after Rads, I pray the super hot water cloths will work on them.

Hopeful82014

Dustien, I've found it imperative to continue using lotion on my chest since RT. Usually I do it at night but sometimes also in the a.m. Whenever I slack off I pay the price. I'm two and a half years out from radiation and expect to be doing this for a long time. My skin did GREAT during radiation but there's no getting around the invisible effects on the tissues.

Dustien

Hopefull, does the area hurt, or just get itchy if you don't use the lotion?  If you use the lotion, is it ok?

I use lotion on my face nightly (been doing that for decades now and have few wrinkles) so I'll just now include my breast in the regiment. 

Hopeful82014

Hi, Dustie - Mostly it just gets itchy, although there's a bit of residual tenderness as well. I usually spend a bit of time massaging it to break up the internal scarring that's the major source of the soreness (I think). The lotion definitely helps, more or less instantly.

I am very careful about what I use in that I go for the 'cleanest' products I can find. Much of the time I simply use organic coconut oil and it does a good job. I also have calendula lotion that is great. During radiation I used 100% aloe, calendula and Emu oil.

I see in one of your other threads though that you're having brachytherapy, which means that your side-effects, both short and long term, will be different from those who had external beam radiation. I don't expect that you'll encounter the skin issues, for example. I think there's a thread for those treated with brachytherapy - you might want to read back through it to get some idea of what to expect. If not, maybe start your own thread and see who jumps on your bandwagon! Good luck with it, Dustie.

ksusan

I use Cetaphil lotion on the radiated area at least once a day. If I'm itchy, which sometimes happens, moisturizing helps.

NWArtLady

I live in WA state where Cannabis is legal and I just started using CBD tissue and joint cream on my scar and nipple when they get itchy and tingly. It works well for me.