skin breaking again a month after finishing

Rainyday7

I finished 33 rad fractions 20th Oct and the skin completely broke for the last 2 weeks. Once I was finished I started flamazine with mepilex dressing and by 5 Nov I had a cover of new pink skin. I started Chemo last week and the skin has started to get red again and feels dry and sore. Anyone have radiotherapy heal and then get worse again? What did you do?

MinusTwo

Rainy - what did your RO say? I think you should call your doc right away. My RO would have wanted to know & give me input.

Spookiesmom

Definitely call/see RO. Let MO know too, possibly a dermatologist too. Are you still using whatever recommended lotions in the area? Try putting some pure aloe on it a few times a day.

flashlight

Rainyday7, I agree check in with your RO. I didn't have chemo, but after the last boost the skin under my arm broke down. On that day all I had was an old bottle of aloe with lidocaine for sunburn. I put that on in between hydrocortisone. I wouldn't put any type of moist dressing on new skin tissue. That tissue is very fragile. Wear loose clothing, keep the area clean, and use a good moisturizer cream. Hopefully your RO will give you some guidance. If it starts to break down you might need an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. If you can't get in to your ROask your MO for help.

Rainyday7

Thanks. Meeting the RO in 2 weeks for review. When I finished RT my armpit was weeping and bleeding and hurt to move and she said it looked fine. So I doubt if she will be concerned that its gone redder than it was.

I’ve been using an antibiotic cream, Fucidin, and putting either aloe or aveeno on in between. I guess the chemo set the healing back a bit.

Rainyday7

My RO said it was radiation recall. The chemotherapy causes the skin to 'remember' the previous radiation burn and it flares up again. It happened again after the 2nd chemo but it will clear so I just have to expect it until chemo over.