itchy itchy itchy

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GoWithTheFlow
GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

starting to itch.  I'm at 14 of 28 treatments.  Last night I just added some cortizone cream to aquafor and that seemed to help.  Tonight, it doesn't appear to be helping.  Any suggestions to get me through to monday?

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  • BayouBabe
    BayouBabe Member Posts: 2,221
    edited July 2013

    Have you tried clear aloe vera gel? This helped me the most during rads. Walmart carries a brand with few additives that is very reasonable. Also, go without a bra, or without anything if you can. Give your skin some air circulation. Oh, I also read that some women kept their aloe in the fridge. I never did this, but now that it is July, might be a good thing to try. Wishing you relief! Hang in there!

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited July 2013

    I'm so afraid of the itching as this has been the way my skin has always acted up. Asked about it at rads and was told "they don't prescribe anything for it anymore, but I could try hydrocortisone cream-but don't use too much as it thins the skin" this doesn't make me feel great.

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited July 2013

    I will try the aloe.  I bought some pure aloe from the health food store last week.  Didn't realize it helps with itches.  I had BMX and have not worn a bra in months.  I'm wearing loose v neck tshirts from walmart that I don't care what they loook like at the end.  

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited July 2013

    The only thing that helped my severe itching was Hydrocortisone creme - the older version with less ingredients.

    And instead of scratching my skin, I would tap tap tap it.  It is amazing how much that helped stop the itch!

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited July 2013

    I've been rubbing it using my tshirt as much as possible.  I have lightly scratched when I had to, and end up with lotion and sharpie markings in my fingernail.  My RAD techs are not going to be so happy with me tomorrow.

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  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited July 2013

    Gowiththeflow can you take an over the counter benadryl pill? It could put you to sleep but that might be merciful. I get horrible rashes when I encounter harsh soaps or detergents and it always helps.



    As a cell biologist (not doctor) I cant think of any reason this would interfere with the radiation killing the cancer stem cells that might be in the area, or delay the skin's healing process in any way. It just quiets down the eosinophils that are getting overly hyped up about the skin damage.

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited July 2013

    She said cortisone cream and apply it under the biafine.  I had been applying over the biafine.  Hoping that works.  The itchiness seems to increase as the day goes on.   Kind of one of my fears because my chest always tends to get itchy in the summer's heat and humidity.  I stay inside in air conditioning as much as possible, but I have to live my life sometimes.  

    Just a few more weeks, and I can do this.

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