Skin care after radiation ????

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Jen40
Jen40 Member Posts: 34
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi

I have a question on skin care after radiation is over. I am two weeks out after finishing 25 tx. From what I have read on these boards is diff types of creams people use. My doctor told me to use Glaxal cream and use a salt water compress a few times a day he said only use the cream until the skin started to break down then only use salt water compress. Well my skin is peeling pretty bad but the skin underneath looks pretty good just a little pink. I think I should be putting cream on that fresh pink skin so I am wondering how long anyone used their cream and did anyone else get the advice to only use salt water?

Thanks.

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  • Jen40
    Jen40 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2011

    Bump

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited February 2011

    I used Aquaphor for awhile because I was pretty pink after my "boost" of rads.   I healed very well.  

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  • Jen40
    Jen40 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2011

    I have seen that one on the boards here before but my question is more if you were told to stop the cream at any time like when it started peeling and only use salt water compress? Thanks for the reply I will look for Aquafor. Hope they have it in Canada.

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  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 215
    edited February 2011
    I was told to stop using cream if my skin broke open as it could contribute to infection.  I don't know if this holds true for just peeling skin though, I guess it would depend on how severe it was and the condition of the skin underneath.  My hospital had me get Glaxal Base which was fine for moisture, but it doesn't really help in the healing process and I had a great organic aloe cream for sunburns that I used and my redness is almost gone (my radiologist was shocked as I was so red before).  I peeled mildly, but the skin under was not broken or 'weepy' and I was told to use just polysporin if it did crack, never needed to though.  And yes, we now have Aquafor in Canada and I actually have it but never thought to use it. Smile
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  • jw523
    jw523 Member Posts: 87
    edited February 2011

    I'm in the US and was prescribed Silvadene cream which I used once my skin broke down and started peeling. You had to wear gloves to apply it - the gloves were a great idea to apply all the creams I used after that and especially the aqaphor which feels like vaseline and can make a mess.  

    The Silvadene seemed to help with the peeling process.  I bought a pack of cheap washcloths at Walmart and used them to wash off the cream and peeling skin.  It took about 5 days for the skin to heal and I could continue with radiation. (mostly between my bobo and armpit.)

    Now I use an all natural cream (Jason's) from a natural foods store.  I have an aloe cream and vitamin e cream which are both great.  very soothing and smell nice.  I still have dry skin mostly in the nipple area and I'm a month post rads.  It took me about 3 weeks to notice my skin really healing.  Hang in there!

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  • Jen40
    Jen40 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2011

    Thanks I heard back from the nurses and she said I was ok to use cream again. Aaahhh what a relief. I'm going to look into a better cream than the Glaxel. Now if only the itching would stop!!!

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  • chele
    chele Member Posts: 1,465
    edited February 2011

    I was told not to use any products but Biafine or Silvadene until my radiation treatments were over.  I used the Biafine until I had some peeling, then I used the Silvadene liberally after each treatment.  I've been using Jergens Ultra Healing since I've completed radiation and I really love this product!  My skin looks very good, my radiation oncologist was pleased at my last visit.

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