Skin Creams during/after Radiation

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376

Getting ready to start rads.  Have simulation and CT scan next week.  I'm wondering what experiences other AA have with creams or lotions to use during and after treatment.  Do we have to take into consideration any differences because of the melanin, shades, etc.?  I know that I will be getting advice from my onc rad about creams but just wondering what other sisters have experienced.

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  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited March 2009
    At first I used the pure Aloe Vera that  was provided in our  dressing rooms (in the radiation oncology dept).  I would use it right after treatment and then shower the next morning. Sometimes I would use it several times a day but would always shower it off every morning.

    When I noticed my skin darkening, peeling, & itching a bit I changed my routine..  So I began using Aquafore which is wonderful. I have cut and pasted a bit about it.  It is sold over the counter in the US.

    _____________________________________

    Aquaphor® Healing Ointment protects skin to help enhance the natural healing process.  Non-irritating and fragrance-free, it is dermatologist recommended for:

    • cracked, dry or chafed skin; and chapped lips
    • minor cuts and burns
    • sensitive skin
    • skin irritations from laser treatments and radiation therapy

    Dermatologist Recommended

    Aquaphor® Healing Ointment From Eucerin®

    ____________________________________________________________

    Later, I started using Bag Balm with the radiologists blessing.  It has a long history and was not originally intended for what people use it for now.  It is also highly recommended for diaper rash since it works fast and well. It helped so much.

    I have cut and pasted a bit about it here:

    _____________________________________________________________

    Bag Balm is a salve originally intended to soothe irritation on cows' udders. Although the product only mentions use "For chapped conditions and superficial abrasions" it is used as a treatment for chapped and irritated skin on humans and can be found in drug stores and ski resorts. It has also gained popularity as a post-tattoo skin soother.

    Country singer Shania Twain is noted for using Bag Balm as a personal beauty product as is supermodel Carmen Dell'Orefice, who mentioned her use of the product in her 2008 Telegraph interview.

    ___________________________________

    I always showered everything off every morning prior to going for my rads so that I would be oil and creme free.  I am now finished with rads and my skin is soft and smooth. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    Thanks Roya.  You're wonderful.

    Be blessed.

  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited March 2009

    Patoo, the absolute best deodorant is Lavilin because you only use it every 5 to 7 days and it leaves no film like the clear sticks.  It only leaves the film when you first put it on.  After you shower the next morning, it is still busy working but there is no film left.  This is important since you can't wear deodornat with rads.

    My radiologists even recommend and approve of it.  It is all naural ingredients and you only have to apply it once every 7 days. I would apply it on the weekends and it would last for my 5 days of treatment.......no problem.  It works on a different principle than other deodorants since it does not cover odor or clog pores.  Rather, it destroys odor causing bacteria.  It is safe and mild....no aluminum.  No Chemicals!!!!  Even though I am through with rads, I still use it.  DH likes it because he can kiss my arms all over and never get the taste of deodorant since it leaves no film............he gets only the taste of me Wink.

    You can buy it at most health food stores in the US.  I get mine on Ebay.

    I cut and pasted this info for you:

    ___________________________________


    A single application of Lavilin, eliminates odor for up to 7 days!
    • Eliminates perspiration odor at the source by killing odor-causing bacteria.
    • Safe deodorants - do not interfere with bodily functions.
    • Alumimum and alcohol free.
    • Contains Arnica and Calendula - known for their anti-bacterial properties.
    • Chamomile - Soothes skin.
    • Clinically and dermatologically tested and found to be effective
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    Thanks again.  I will check with my radiologists at tomorrow's appt.  I saw the Aquaphor in the store.  It's only active ingred was petrolatum.  Isn't that just Vaseline Petroleum Jelly?  I should be getting all recommendations from the radiologist tomorrow or Friday.  I will begin treatments either Friday or Monday.

    Thanks again.

  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited March 2009

    Patoo, it is the same as. Vaseline is one Brand name and Aquaphor is another.  For some reason, docs seem to want to recommend Aquaphor the most for burns.  You might have to dispense with your bra while you heal.  If you wear wired ones the wires rub the skin and irritate it.

    The Bag Balm works best and fastest.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    Thanks Roya.  My rad spec says not to use anything at all except what they give me.  I won't find out what that might be until next week.  For the bra, I saw where some sisters were recommending only camisoles.  Are the ones with the shelf bra built in also irritating?  If so do we just bounce for 6 weeks?

  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited March 2009

    Patoo, in my case, only underneath fold  of my breast was excoriated by the bra.  Any part of your breast/ chest that the bra rubs against can be affected this way.  I also lost some skin where the bra rubbed against the outer aspect of my under arms.  My skin began changing after the 2nd seek of rads.  For some reason, it was never actually tender or painful just darkened and excoriated in those areas that the bra rubbed against.  Sometimes the skin will not only darken but appear to be burned.  Mine did not blister but I know of others who have.

    Camisoles are glorified T shirts.  They are ok but do not lend the support of a bra.  If you are going braless, as I did, they do help cover & camoflauge the nipples, etc.

    Be pro active, especially if your rad specialist is more accustomed to dealing with 'white' skin.  Our skin is different, and sometimes heals differently......for example, some of us tend to scar and keloid more easily, whereas 'white' skin does not tend to do that as much.  Be sure your rads specialist is knowledgeable regarding the special needs of black skin so as to help insure that you heal properly. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    Thanks.  Yes, I'm certain they are used to "white" skin and I do keloid easily so I will stay on top of it.  I did pick up the Aquaphor anyhow.  I'm probably going to go braless with a good cami for camoflauge because I already occasionally develop skintags underneath my breasts, and that's without radiation!  I will ask to speak to someone who is knowledgeable about our special needs.

  • bar62
    bar62 Member Posts: 321
    edited July 2009

    HI everyone,

    Just sharing. I was able to wear some old wired bras with wires removed. My doctor told me I would darken...she never mentioned burning...I guess she wanted to keep me calm...but I did burn while darkening,  crisp and peel: One area  became red and raw. She then put me on Vaseline guaze  dressings 24/7 x 5 days followed by Aquaphor and her favorite cream Remedy. I had the last of 8 boosts last Monday and I expect from the condition of the site to crisp and peel.  Thanks for being here.

    Mina

  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited July 2009

    Hi Mina,

    The Drs. never mentioned "burning of the skin" to me, and I did, It looked so bad to me I went in and told them I" was sick"--looking at it made me feel really ill--they took my temp, and told me I was not running a temp, I ask what "degree burn" was it, and they never did give me an answer(this was 9 years ago) the Dr. put some kind of "gel pack" over the area for the weekend and by that Monday it was much better---I wondered if, because of the color of our skin, that they don't know that we will burn, and certainly that it could affect each person different.   I had been using a cream called "Essence", I found it in the Essence Magazine, it was from a company in Santa Ana Calif.  It felt so healing--short story, it has been discontinued. 

     I am glad it is over for you.

    Take care of you.

    Linda C.

  • JourneyNC
    JourneyNC Member Posts: 69
    edited August 2009

    This is my experience recently looking for radiation treatment creams and oils:

    A healthfood store I patronize seeking fresh organic chicken, vegetables and seasons I inquired about radiation burn treatments and if they carried Aquafore, Bag Balm and Laviln.

    A naturpathic manager of the store pointed me in the direction of candular ointment, Emu oil and Crystal deodorant when expressing about Rad treatment. Within these stores, I inquired about Aquafore, Bag Balm and Lavilin.  The latter was taken off shelf as a result of the petroleum ingrediant. Some other stores are following suit. They are shifting away from a Lavilin ingrediant coming from crude oil.

    • This is why she refered me to Emu Oil for burns and Crystal (uses sea salts & other ingred) for deodorant. They didn't have bag balm, but I know where else to get this. I wonder what they will say about Bag Balm...
  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited August 2009

    JourneyNC,

    Interesting---Thanks for sharing!!!

    Linda C.

  • honey69
    honey69 Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2009

    i got a nice sunburn during my radiation therapy.  i couldn't stand to even wear a bra, just a tshirt.  i did use aquafor which the radiation center gave me as well as a lotion called udder cream.  it's been 5yrs and i'm still a shade darker in that area. 

  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited September 2009

    Thanks Roya for all that information. I start rads next week. My Rad Onc told me no bras. I would like to try that Bag Balm. I don't like going bra less.

  • nasharayne
    nasharayne Member Posts: 139
    edited September 2009

    Dolores - I didn't want to go without a bra either but, after about 3-4 weeks of rads I really couldn't stand to wear one. Plus, I think I peeled more when I wore one.

  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited October 2009

    I finished rad #8 and I tried the Bag Balm and it works good.

  • PammyNoFL
    PammyNoFL Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2009

    Just completed Rad #2 of 32 and they recommended "Jeans Cream" and gave me a sample, I am also using "Mederma."  I load both on at night. Have any of you tried these?

    Diag: 9/2009, DCIS, stage 0, intermediate grade, lumpectomy and re-excision 10/2009

  • nasharayne
    nasharayne Member Posts: 139
    edited October 2009

    I used 100% aloe vera gel twice a day after about two in.  My rad onc was very pleased at how my skin looked.  I didn't start peeling until after it was over.

  • JourneyNC
    JourneyNC Member Posts: 69
    edited October 2009

    Hello All,

    It's been awhile since being on. I'm been through a roller coaster of emotions and now near the end of my Radiation Treatment (chemo ended 8/09). I'll be through with all my treatments and then get checked every 3mos.

    Since nearing the end of radiation treatment, I'm burned even after slapping on the rad gels, aquafore and now they gave me a topical steroid. I cry in my sleep after I turn. I'm also on Davocet for the pain. It's unbearable under my arm and breast.

    Everyone skin is different to sensitivity of burn pain...I'm highly sensitive.

  • GrannyRomaine
    GrannyRomaine Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2009

    Finished Radiation last week. skin under my arm pit and below is charred and a red area.Any suggestions.

  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited December 2009

    Grannyromaine,

    I am sorry to hear you burned after Rads.  I burned pretty bad too, I continued to just use(a cream called Essence)--it had Vitamin E in it--that can not be found anymore--with the 2nd Rads I just used the ointments the Drs. gave me, it will get better in time.  You may have to limit your clothing on these areas when you can--give 'em lots of air.  Good luck and take care.

    Linda C.

  • Zipmum
    Zipmum Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2010

    Thanks ladies for all of the advice.  I finished radiation about a month ago.  I was given a vaseline based ointment by the radiation nurse during radiation.  My breast still got burnt and I am still shedding skin... I am now using vitamin E oil and this seems to be help my skin.  I am still having "heat" moments in the one breast and I am not sure why.  Thanks again for all the tips.

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