Skin Cream, Gel, Lotion during Radiation - A List

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MTG
MTG Member Posts: 646
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I'm going for my simulation next week and was driving myself nuts trying to keep all the various recommendations straight re: what to use to prevent pain, turning red, burning and itching so I made myself a pretty comprehensive list. Then it occurred to me that others could benefit from it as well. Since it's compiled primarily from recommendations I found on the Board, thanks to all of you ! P.S. I'll add to the list as you make additional suggestions. Here goes:

Aloe Gel (100% Pure) -Brands: Aloe Life Skin Gel , AloePlex Gel, Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel , CVS Aftersun pure aloe vera , lilly of the desert pure aloe gel or Aloe leaves themselves

Alra Therapy Lotion http://www.alra.com/

Aquaphor (made by Lubriderm, some try Lubriderm for a less greasy version)

Benzocaine (Itching)

Betamethasone

Biafine http://www.drugs.com/pdr/biafine-topical-emulsion.html

Calendula ointment, cream or lotion  -Brands: Boiron http://www.boironusa.com/ , NatureWorks http://www.herbsmd.com/detail/calendula-cream-3879.htm,Weleda Calendula lotion/ Weleda for baby  http://usa.weleda.com/our-products/shop/calendula-baby-cream.aspx, Aboca  http://www.aboca.com/en/herbshealth/biopomate.asp

Carra Gauze pads (burning)

Cavilon  http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/SH/SkinHealth/brands/cavilon/

Coconut Oil

Cortisone/ Cortizone (Itching)

DEB SBS 40 medicated skin cream

Desoximetasone (Itching, Severe)

Domeboro soaks (Itching)

Elta creme

Emu oil (pure version)

Flamazine cream (prescription)

Glaxal Base, by Wellskin

Glucan Professional Moisturizing Cream , Glucan Pro 3000

Grape Seed Oil

Honey

HydraMe

Hydrocortisone (Itching)

Hydroxyzine    (Itching, Severe)

Jeans Cream http://www.jeanscream.com/

Lidacaine(Itching)

Lidex  (Itching, Severe)

Lindi Body Lotion (http://www.lindiskin.com/)

Medline's remedy skin repair

Miaderm (http://www.miaderm.com/)

Mometasome

My Girls Radiation Cream, http://www.radiationcream.com/ 

Natures Inventory Radiation Therapy oil

Radiacream

Radiagel

Radia Guard

RadiaPlex Gel

RadX Radiation Therapy

Recovery Cream http://www.recoverycream.com/

Regenecare

Remedy Skin Repair Cream Remedy Advanced Skin Care

Silvadene / silvadyne ?/silver sulfadiazine (Burns)

SWEEN Cream

Udderly Smooth Udder cream

Vinegar (esp. Apple Cider Vinegar)

Vitamin E cream

Vigilon (Burns)

Xclair

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Comments

  • aris
    aris Member Posts: 124
    edited August 2009

    which one are you going to use? i'm so confused by all of the options!

    Pam (not starting rads until 9/10, just obsessing about creams right now)

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited August 2009

    I'm exactly where you are right now. Not starting yet (I'll likely start just after you do) but -as I'm sure you can tell - obsessing. I still need to talk to my radiation oncologist and do some more research but right now, I'm planning on getting (1) the aloe (I think it is one of the few that wont need to be "washed off" and it seems universally helpful:), and (2) a cortizone spray  for itching (it just makes sense that a spray will be easier to put on than yet another lotion or get that requires touching the breast; but I am concerned that there may be addiditves like alcohol in a spray version so I'll need to check into that), but (3) not certain about the most important one yet - I'm leaning towards Miaderm simply because it has both calendula and hyaluronate but I truly dont know. Everyone has their own favorites.

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited August 2009

    By the way, I'm a bit dubious about the My Girls Radiation Cream. TCoffey who often posts such positive things about it is actually SELLING the product. Of course, I guess using this Discussion Board for a profit would be fine if there were full disclosure rather than giving the impression that she's just "one of the girls".  Check out her early posts (by clicking on her user name) where she mentions developing, naming and selling the product.

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  • Irishred
    Irishred Member Posts: 136
    edited August 2009

    Another option other than cortizone spray, is ask your doctor for a presciption for  Hydroxyzine, only take when you need it and it will stop the itching in 5-10 minutes and last for many hours.  I am a little hesitant to use sprays, so many have some type of metal in them.

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  • Irishred
    Irishred Member Posts: 136
    edited August 2009

    I used Miaderm (free samples) but purchased My Girls,  So far I like it,  Because I am a redhead with very light skin, I am experiencing some small breakdowns.  I am halfway done with rads and got a 4 day break to let my skin rest and heal.  I also just ordered some 100% aloe vera gel, hope it gets here soon. 

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited August 2009

    Irish Red - Thanks, I corrected my spelling error and Hydroxyzine (rather than Huydroxyzine ) is now on the list. Since you're my source on this, am I correct that this is used for "severe itching" or should I modify it to simply "itching" ?

    By the way, assuming you have rads again on Monday or soon after, instead of waiting for the aloe vera gel to arrive in the mail, why not check to see if your local health food stores have any ? It certainly beats going without.

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  • Beach
    Beach Member Posts: 127
    edited August 2009

    Just finished 21 tx of rads and faired quite well.  Used Lubriderm unscented 3 weeks prior to starting rads, as well as Dove body wash for sensitive skin....clinic nurse said to do this to "prep" the skin before rads start.  I am a little red but the itchiness has not been too bad at all.  I have one small area that is a little worse and requires a daily "saline soak" and hydrocortisone cream, but overall my onc, nurse and therapists are very happy with how well my skin held up. 

    My onc said that aloe is good until your skin gets dry....then it should be stopped as it will dry the skin out further.  I was told to use either Lubriderm unscented or Glaxal Base to start and if problems arise, they would advise or prescribe other options.  The other key is to not put any cream on prior to each rad tx, as it will help the "burning process" along......same goes for deodorant.  Best wishes to all!!    

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited August 2009
    Beach - Added Lubriderm as a parenthetical to the Aquaphor. Thanks.
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  • London-Virginia
    London-Virginia Member Posts: 851
    edited August 2009

    Just out of interest, given the quite remarkable ability to aid wound healing (I personally attest to this having had a fantastic success with honey dressings) is there any type of honey "cream" or something that can be used?

     If you haven't seen how fast my grummbling wounds healed, you can't quite appreciate the wonderfullness of the thing.   I would be intersted to know if anyone ever does come across a honey "treatment".  Rads will be my next excursion, but very best wishes for all of you now.

    xxxx

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  • rlnew
    rlnew Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2009

    My radiation onc first gave me a gel. Then later they gave me RadX. I had virtually no skin issues, just some dryness, and have been using it maybe once each day.

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  • vivre
    vivre Member Posts: 2,167
    edited August 2009

    If I only knew then what I know now . . . After looking into all the junk in every type of moisture cream, I decided not to use any of them anymore. I strictly use coconut ir grapeseed oil on my skin. I use pure aloe, from my plant, for burns and scrapes. If I was doing rads now, this is all I would use, although I like the honey idea, it is a great healer. My skin feels incredible since I started using these foods. If it is safe enough to eat, it is safe enough for the skin. Keep in mind that the skin is the largest organ in the body. Anything that touches your skin is absorbed throughout. Therefore be careful about using anything chemical on your skin. All those chemicals go right to your cells.

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited August 2009

    London Virginia -  Leave it to you to come up with something outside the box...but also totally valid. I found a very small Dutch study specifically on point,  "The Effect of Honey Compared to Conventional Treatment on Healing of Radiotherapy Induced Skin Toxicity in Breast Cancer Patients" (see http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/892817__749296021.pdf ); it looked at 24 patients and found that those using honey actually had less pain, itching and irritation than those using traditional salves. However, I think that they used medical grade/sterile honey rather than the sort we put on bread or in tea.  In addition, there's a thread on this Discussion Board, "Honey heals wounds- Research to back it"  that you and others might want to check out.

    Vivre - Thanks for adding some more herbal options to the list. For those of us who love information,  I found that the Sloan Kettering  Cancer Information page on Grape Seed states that application of  grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) extract (not certain how it differs from Grape Seed Oil)  has been shown to accelerate wound contraction and closure. (See http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69243.cfm#References .) Sloan Kettering was citing Khanna S, Venojarvi M, Roy S, Sharma N, Trikha P, Bagchi D et al. Dermal wound healing properties of redox-active grape seed proanthocyanidins. Free Radic. Biol Med 2002;33:1089-96. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12374620?dopt=Citation . As for coconut oil, so far all I've found is that it's an ingredient in several wound creams. If you know of any additional information, it would be great to post it.  

    Thanks for the additions.

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  • LoriL
    LoriL Member Posts: 185
    edited August 2009

    I used Fruit of the Earth Pure Aloe after each treatment. Then after showering and bedtime I used a Calendula cream called "California Baby"- it comes in a 2 oz. jar, and you can find it in the baby section at Target. Toward the end of treatment when my skin got really itchy, I used plain ol' Fragrance Free Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. The oatmeal in it is very soothing and worked even better than some prescription strength hydrocortisone cream that I had! My rad techs said that my skin looked much better than the average person.

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  • Rose_wood
    Rose_wood Member Posts: 48
    edited August 2009
    wow!  what a list, and I agree with VIVRE.  If only my rad onc. had been more open with suggestions.  Why do we have to do the research on our own?  I know everyone is different, but I found this site through some literature I was reading, not through anything the rad onc said.  (((hugs to all of you))).  All I can say is, through my own experience, read the ingredient label.  It was only then that I discovered an ingredient in both Aquaphor and Silvadene that I was allergic to that was never mentioned anywhere.  What worked for me may not work for you, but keep asking those questions and do your research.  Smile
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  • sopris
    sopris Member Posts: 29
    edited November 2009

    Thanks for all the advice on creams and such.  Right now Biafine and Eucerine seem to be working.  Doc also gave me some lidocaine based creme for my nipple area which is sore.  

    On a different note, I have to vent.  I was told recently that the use a rads is 'cosmetic' rather than therapeutic.   I guess because I could have just had the old boob lopped off instead and gotten the same result.   Medical logic?  LOL  Really?  Do we call filling cavities cosmetic?  Couldn't we just have a tooth pulled instead?  Why not just get dentures/ breast reconstruction?  So there's a little pain--they call it discomfort--involved.  The cosmetic results are the same.  REALLY?  Wow.  

    There is a serious disconnect between the medical community and us human beings out here.   

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited November 2009

    sopris wrote:I was told recently that the use a rads is 'cosmetic' rather than therapeutic.

    Holy SH*T !!!!! Who was that person - medical, friend or ????? If medical, run dont walk to other doctor. If a "friend", I'd seriously rethink that person's place in my life (Actually I did ! One longtime "friend", 15 minutes after I was diagnosed told me that now I had to think about cutting off my breast; and over the next few weeks she kept telling me and telling me and telling me....of course, she never bothered to ask what my exact diagnosis was.)

    By the way, women with MASTECTOMIES also often have radiation. It kills any cancer that was not removed by surgery. I really hate ignorant people.

    How did you keep yourself from socking him/her ?

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  • Irishred
    Irishred Member Posts: 136
    edited November 2009

    Hey I would say "any kind of itching"  and trust me , no local stores carry anything of any use in Winter Haven FL.

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  • Irishred
    Irishred Member Posts: 136
    edited November 2009

    You know, I wasn't that impressed either,  it feels nice but really don't think it did much at all.  In reality, I almost think Gold Bond did more than anything for me. and it sure is more available and a lot cheaper.

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  • Irishred
    Irishred Member Posts: 136
    edited November 2009

    You should be done about now,  but the only thing I found that REALLY works for itching is hydroxzine.  Its a pill and you can take one or two and WILL NOT itch for at least 8 hours.  Creams are creams are creams.  Nothing is perfect, use what is cheap and safe.

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  • goldenmermaid
    goldenmermaid Member Posts: 11
    edited November 2009

    I think it's interesting that you've spent SO much time on "the list."    My rad oncologist has products that she recommends and gives to all of her patients WHEN and IF they need it.    She said it's crazy to go out and spend money on things that you really don't know will or won't work.   She's done the research and knows which ones work.     Most people that I've talked to have no reaction at all to the radiation - no itching/burning - nothing.     My question was a deoderant that worked - Toms of Maine does nothing and the Crystal product recommended by the ACS doesn't work and isn't recommended by any of the oncologists in my area.   Has anyone tried Origins?    It's $15.00 but if it works - $15.00 is nothing.

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  • MTG
    MTG Member Posts: 646
    edited November 2009

    You're right, the list is disgustingly thorough. That's just my nature. Can't tell you if it's too much education, the need to feel in control or - most likely - both. Almost every one seems to have their "favorite", so it's included here. After that, it's the individual's choice. By all means, go with the recommendations of your rad onc.

    Sorry, can't help with the deodorants. I use the Crystal which works for me.

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  • LuvMyFam
    LuvMyFam Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2013

    I am due to start radiation February 18th and was told by my Rad Onc that because of my "complicated" radiation plan that the first 4 weeks should be fine, but the last 3 weeks I will just want to make myself comfortable.  I have a low pain tolerance, so I'm not so much looking forward to it..... 

    I have been reading the wonderfully extensive list and love the idea of natural products.  I looked up and found a recipe to make a Raw Honey and Coconut Oil face mask, but am wondering if the healing aspects of both would make this an option.  What do you think?  Especially those of you who have already gone through radiation.

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  • sherry67
    sherry67 Member Posts: 556
    edited January 2013

    I used Aquaphor and pure Aloe..the aloe after tx than Aquaphor at night

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