Radiation Skin Care

Hi ShariOOO I just posted you a long memo but when I submitted it the computer ate it up. Could you be kind enough to look at my post radiation comments posted under Mucinous Breast Cancer to get the gist of what I was writing about for you.Hope this memo works

I second the Emu Oil.  I started out with Aloe Vera gel, then onto Aquafor.  But another rads patient who was very fair told me about the Emu Oil, and we both sailed through without a problem.   Just be sure you get one that is ultra refined.  The first bottle I bought had just a tad bit of grittiness to it, which I didn't like, but which the natural foods store employee told me when I asked about it is common with some emu oils.  The ultra refined brand I bought at a certified farmer's market was silky smooth by comparison. So you may want to ask before you buy one.  And good luck with your rads!  Deanna

Here are the tips from my instruction sheet from the RO's office (previously posted elsewhere):

1. SHOWERING:  Use unscented soap (e.g, Basis bar soap or Dove unscented bar soap)  for showering--do not rub or scrub skin being treated--just pat area with soap and water and rinse clean. No excessively hot water.  Do not submerge treated area in bath and soak; doing this makes skin more susceptible to breakdown and peeling.
2. MOISTURIZING:  Aloe vera gel 3-4 times a day to minimize skin reactions.  Can be used anytime except within one hour of treatment--do not want fresh application of gel before treatmet.  (RO said thin layer is fine and to let it dry before putting on clothing)  I liked Lily of the Desert 98% aloe (organic), 
3. CORNSTARCH:  Use plain Argo corn starch to any skin folds in treatment area to minimize skin reaction.   Apply light dusting 3-4 times to where moisture or perspiration might accumulate.  (Make sure to wait until gel/cream is dry before applying cornstarch). 
4. SHAVING:  No shaving to underarm of treated side.  Skin will become tender from radiation and shaving will increase the tenderness and increases risk of cuts and infections. 
5. DEODORANT:  Do not use regular deodorant. If needed, use cornstarch, Toms of Maine unscented deodorant or Crystal all-natural deodorant.  Most others contain aluminum which may worsen any skin reactions to the area,
6. CLOTHING:  Try to wear loose fitting clothes over area being treated. It is important to eliminate any irritation to treated skin.
7. HAIR:  Perfectly fine to color your hair during course of radiation.  However, if you have had chemotherapy recently, consult with your medical oncologist about coloring your hair.
8. SUN:  Do not expose skin in treatment area to sun.  Sun will increase risk of skin reactions and possible breakdown with peeling.  After radiation is finished and any skin reaction has disappeared, use SPF 15-30 whenever in the sun.
9. VITAMINS:  NO ANTI-OXIDANT SUPPLEMENTS & NO GREEN TEA should be taken during radiation therapy.  Stop all anti-oxidant supplements and green tea a few days before starting radiation. You may resume these 2 weeks after completing radiation.  (My RO said multi-vitamin is OK but no extra A, C or E--I read that it interferes with the effectiveness of radiation--something about free radicals)  Doctors differ on this--some are OK with antioxidants.

Hope this helps.  I got my RO's approval to use Boiron's Calendula Cream (found at Whole Foods).  Other things I've heard/read is not to use oils which may not wash off completely and intensifies the radiation effects (however, it looks like emu oil works really well).   I would stay away from fragranced products on the breast being treated--I used one calendula cream with added fragrance and it stung.  I avoided bras most of the time--used camisoles or sometimes a soft front-closing one--avoid putting pressure on skin.  Also, I'm staying away from parabens in lotions/gels (preservative that mimics estrogen). 

Another cream that people really like is Miaderm--available online from Miaderm.com.  It's a combination of aloe, calendula and a moisturizer made for radiation skin.  However, I had good results from my aloe and calendula cream.  Good luck!

Kim from NY

Hopeful, post radiation i,ve been using olive oil chock full of

antiox + glycerine-rosewater combo (in frig, very refreshing)

Alternatively