Aloe Vera Gel or Other for Radiation?

macdebbie

Looking to get some gel or other to help with radiation as I have very fair skin and I'm worried I may get burned easily. Would like to stay as natural as possible - fewest ingredients.

I looked on the Environmental Working Group skincare database and was surprised to see that Aloe Vera Gel is rate as a "moderate" carcinogen (?).

Is there something else that might be soothing and safer?

Someone told me that after their mastectomy they used cold Aloe Vera Gel and wrapped their breast in cabbage leaves. I've never heard of this, but supposedly it helps with healing due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Guess until you try something don't discard it, right?

Spookiesmom

Each time I did rads I used aloe, RO approved

GG27

I used Aloe gel, check that it has no alcohol in it, it was hard to find. RO approved. I also used Glaxol base.

TB90

I did exactly what GG27 did. I found pure aloe vera gel in a health food store and the brand was Cactus of the Valley if I recall correctly.

macdebbie

Thanks! I didn't know about the no alcohol. I will go Amazon and see what I can find.

exbrnxgrl

macdebbie,

I also used a pure aloe vera gel as recommended by my ro. Alcohol can be very drying to the skin.

TB90

It’s called Lily of the Desert! Not Cactus 🌵 of the Valley! 😂😂😂😂. I shock even myself these days. 99% pure aloe

Cowgirl13

I used good ole' aquaphor which was what my radiologist used - there were bowls of it!

Salamandra

Radiation burning is very different physiologically from sunburn, so I don't think fairness would be a factor.

My docs recommended I use something without lanolin (maybe in case of unknown allergic reactions, I'm not sure), which ruled out aquaphor and led me to discover Cerave ointment. I still love it and use it for various things still years later.

macdebbie

Does anyone have an alternative to Aquaphor that doesn't have Petroleum in it? Could I just use something like shea butter?

A lot of the things I look at that are more natural have Vitamin E and I was told I couldn't take supplements during radiation so I imagine that means none in skin care either?

Spookiesmom

RO also told me to use this.

AliceBastable

I'm very fair skinned and after 33 sessions, I had some dark pink on my clavicle and very faint pink and dryness near the nipple. I used a combination of aloe and Aquaphor.

MinusTwo

debbie - I used Miaderm and was pleased. with the results. Developed specifically by radiation oncologists. I don't think it has petroleum but my eyes aren't the greatest so I may have missed it in the small print.

But I love the CeraVe idea. I use that lotion & cream and their products are amazing. It was originally recommended by my dermatologist prior to cancer. Every time I've been in the hospital, when a doc comes in & sees CeraVe on the night stand they go OH YES. And now they have such a wide variety of products.

SpecialK

macdebbie - I did not need radiation, but I have a good friend locally that did after her lumpectomy. There was a member that posted frequently on the Triple Positive thread that posted her skin care regimen for rads and I recommended it to my friend. She followed this regimen and her radiation oncologist was so impressed with her results that he now recommends this to all his rads patients. Here is the post from Omaz and the TP thread:

"Here are my suggestions for skin care during rads:

My appt was first thing in the morning:

-Aloe Vera 100% Gel 6 oz Gel by Fruit of the Earth (applied directly after treatment) from amazon
-Miaderm (applied 2-4 hours later)
-Faulding Essentials Vitamin E Cream 75g (from Australia) (applied 4-6 hours later)
-100% Pure Emu Oil (4oz) by Progressive Emu (applied 6-10pm) from amazon
Aquaphor Healing Ointment by Eucerin (Walgreens or CVS) (applied before bed)
(Rub the Aquaphor ointment vigorously between your palms to soften it up before applying)
-Basis Sensitive Skin Bar (Walgreens or CVS) (used for washing before treatment, rinse well, protecting breast from direct shower spray)

I wore a very soft lightweight cotton tank top from Target each day under my bra. If you have 'saggy' breasts wrap the tank top all the way over and under the breasts so there is no skin on skin contact where the breast 'hangs down'. the tank should also came all the way up to the base of the armpit area. I also bought a bra that was larger and looser than normal.

I used a VERY generous amount of lotion/oil/cream, smeared and gooped it all over the breast, underneath and under the armpit all the way to the back. Especially made sure the nipple area was well coated. The cotton tank top absorbed the extra so it didn't get on my bra.
I would also suggest taking a picture of your fields when they draw on you so you know where to goop and make sure you cover all the areas."

macdebbie

SpecialK, this is awesome! Thanks so much.

SpecialK

macdebbie - you're welcome!

Salamandra

Vanicream ointment could be a good option that doesn't include petroleum jelly.

I don't know about vitamin e in skin care - I would ask and not assume it's the same.

Beaverntx

I used pure, no alcohol aloe vera (purchased at Wal-Mart) right after radiation and aquaphor several times the rest of the day. Wore only cotton touching my skin at RO's advice.Found that Oxiclean max force foam took care of any grease stains on clothing. Also used only Dove sensitive skin soap. Skin came through in great shape. May yours do as well. Your RO may have different advice.

Jewelweed

I was told to stay off antioxidants at the system level-- because they work! And what they do is not what you want when you are doing radiation. Nobody said a thing about topical vitamin e.

I've been massaging my breast with Shea but butter and olive oil after each session. I find aquafor to be too greasy. I always shower before radiation to make sure I have no product on my skin.

Ralphie113

aloe- definitely. Don’t know about the cabbage