best creams for radiation

I slathered my breast right after each treatment with aloe vera gel.  I did not have to go to work afterwards as I am retired, so I used some large, old sweatshirts and put the pure aloe vera gel (no fragrance) all over the breast, put on the sweatshirt and drove home.

I also used ice packs over the sweatshirt when my breast really got red.  Some people suggest usin a bag of frozen peas so it can mold around your breast.  I was able to use those blue gel things.

I bought aquaphor, but it was too thick (like vaseline) and it hurt my breast when I tried to spread it over the breast. But that might work for you.

It is important NOT to put anything on the breast at least 3 hours BEFORE your radiation treatment.

I also filled an old tube sock with cornstarch and used it lie a powder puff under my arm and my breast where the moisture accumulated which could be problematic.  The area under the breast must be kept dry - so I used the powder puff all the time (not before radiation) after a shower and before I put my bra on, or just when the area was moist.  I use it to this day and I finished my radiation in Nov. 2010.

Radiation does make you tired, but it was not a problem for me.  Radfiation of the breast does not make you nauseous.  You will feel better if you try to maintain a somewhat normal schedule.

Good luck with your treatments!

Judy 

I used emu oil and although I am blond/blue I did not burn at all.

I used Xclair and it worked very well.  It is a prescription and very pricey unless your insurance covers it.  I had to drive an hour to and from rads so the last couple of weeks I had to have friends drive with me as I found myself wanting to fall asleep on the way home when I was by myself.

emu oil and aloe from the plant. the emu oil is a godsend.  i have done 26 out of 28 treatments, am VERY fair, and have turned slightly tan/pink.  i'm a tiny bit uncomfortable.  emu oil - can't say it enough. 

My RO swears by Udderly Smooth unless issues arise and then Aquaphor.

I too have been having mild nausea and received the usual response that that's "unusual."  I have no doubts that mine is rads-related.

My RO gave me silver cream and it works great. I just had my last treatment yesterday...yea! The biggest problem I had was under the arm where they took the node out. It is better since I used the cream along with aloe vera. The RO said my area was healing well. Just dont make a comparison of your breasts...yikes...still all in all not too bad. Had a great RT team and that made a huge difference. Havent had any symptoms except the burning and intermittent pain which apparently is the norm....good luck everyone...so glad at least this part is over. diane

emu oil, i loved it, aquaphor is nothing but grease hated it, aloe made me feel dry.  emu oil !!

The RT gave me Natural Care Gel (with aloe vera) and Aquaphor.  I am also using Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair Lotion.  So far (only 4 treatments) I do not have any problems.  They told me I couldn't use anything at least one hour prior to treatment!

Jane

yup...i agree...emu oil and something called "Sheen Cream"..worked well for me.  For whatever reason, even PURE aloe stung me

I order a brand called Progressive emu oil on Amazon.  It takes less than a week to arrive even with the cheapest shipping rate.

I've been using aquaphor 2x/day since the first week (i'm about 1/2way through 33 tx now). I wear an old t-shirt and no bra over it. The t-shirt sticks to it, and it will stain the shirt! Of course I can't do that out of the house (I work from home), so I also bought a bottle of Lubriderm to use if I have to leave the house and wear real clothes. I always shower it all off before my treatment, though.

 So far I've had just a little pinkness, no itching, peeling or soreness.

I finished my rads on July 12th.  Very burnt.  I applied a saline solution and used Glaxal Base Moisturizer recommended by the onco team.  Worked extremely well!

I used Aquafor too .. it was a mess.  I wish I had known about something else at the time.  I burned very badly and don't think the Aquafor worked that great.  I also used Alovera gel.

Bren

Emu oil.  I barely burned and i am super fair.  my onc was floored.

Thanks to those who confirmed that nausea was experienced from their rad treatments.  I have only had 2 treatments so far andit has zapped my eneergy plus nausea, along with ache in the area treated. Really has taken me by surprise because I sailed thru chemo with hardly any SE other than hair loss from with Adriamycin and Cytoxan and numbness in my toes with Taxol.  Also, thanks to everyone for recommendations of creams that have worked during their treatments.  I will be seeking several this weekend while my energy is up because rads are only Mondays thru Fridays.