Best cream to use?

NJmom2boys

Hi,

Starting radiation in September and trying to get prepared. From what I am reading it is super important to moisturize the area. Does anyone have a go to cream they thought was helpful?

Going for mapping Monday

Njmom2boys

Moderators

Hi again NJmom,

You're sure to get some great responses here, but this research news article that came out today on Breastcancer.org may have some insight for you too, with some tips on recommended creams to use:

C-Reactive Protein Levels May Help Predict Risk of Severe Skin Side Effects From Radiation

We hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!

--The Mods

Ingerp

I just had my preliminary stuff done today. My MO’s office is currently only recommending calendula cream and Miaderm. They said I could use whatever I wanted after treatment. Last time I found any thick cream worked well—Eucerin, Aquaphor, Desitin, . .

Georgia1

Hi there. Lots of us used calendula cream, or miaderm, which has calendula in it. Since you seem to be a planner (like me!) I'm posting the instructions I got from Johns Hopkins. On the advice of some great women here I started moisturizing a week in advance, then I packed myself a bag with protein bars, cleansing wipes, and a book, and went to radiation straight from work every afternoon. Hope this helps; it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

NJmom2boys

Wow. Thanks so much to everyone for the help! It is very appreciated.

I googled this calendula cream...so many brands. so expensive! Lol Does anyone recommend a specific one?

I have to say I am very nervous about radiation. I guess that is to be expected, and I am a nervous person as is. Trying to remain positive about something I have to do. Part of the nerves are from traveling 4 hours total each day for rads. But I am staying at the hospital where I had surgery. So far they have been outstanding.

Sincerely,

NJ

DodgersGirl

NJmom2boys— check with your RO to see if they supply lotions. My RO supplied Aquaphor and then highly recommend Calendula Cream which I bought at a local store

Georgia1

Totally get the nervousness but you can do this! It honestly sorts to fall into a routine, especially if your techs are nice. Anyway, any brand of calendua cream is fine; I got mine at the hospital pharmacy but it is also for sale at Whole Foods and on Amazon. You should only need one tube.

Ingerp

My RO's office gave me a hand-out with pictures on it and it was the Boiron Calendula Cream--you can buy a two-pack on Amazon for about $18 (I think mostly it's $10/tube). There are other brands but the ones I looked at were more expensive, and I figured I'd stick with what they recommended. I bought two two-packs yesterday, and I'm sure it'll last me pretty well. FWIW, they also told me they no longer care about deodorant, as long as you don't slather it on. Turns out it has no impact on effectiveness.

And, really--nothing to be nervous about re: rads, particularly the first couple of weeks when you will have no SEs. It's just the pain of getting there every weekday--sorry about your tough commute!! (Especially when the appointments are so short. . .)

kbram

I used good ole coconut oil!  Slathered it on every night and slept in an old gown.  My skin did beautifully!

Kathy

jerseymom12

My RO and the nurse practitioner recommended Lahsinoh. It's found near products for breastfeeding mothers. I applied it right after treatment and at bed time. My doctor said my skin looks great. I am fair skinned and was concerned I'd really have a lot of problems but this cream really seemed to help. I got it at Target.

Runrcrb

my RO said to moisturize and wasn’t wrapped up around brands. I went through the big tub of aquaphor, applied morning and night from day 1 until my skin felt good. I never had “skin breakdown” (open wounds) and used it through the period that my old skin sloughed off. I added pure allovera (avoid alcohol ingredients) during the height of soreness due to burn.