Radiation burns and armpit hair

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Cherry02031978
Cherry02031978 Member Posts: 20
edited January 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi All!

I am on my 10th treatment of having the entire left breast radiated. I have 23 to go. I'm getting very sore and slightly pink in some areas. My nipple is also very sore. My question is, what treatment do you Normally start burning in? Any other things I need to expect as I go further into treatment. Also, my armpit hair is driving me nuts.. Could I use a beard trimmer with a guard

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2017

    No help for you. I burned 'quite good' but it was actually the day after last rad (25th) that it presented. There is no 'normal' time to start 'burning' - we are each very unique.

    On underarm hair - again I have no thoughts what might be useable. I had done neoadjuvant A/C and had finished adjuvant Taxol a week before starting rads so no hair anywhere to be con earned about.

    There will be others with other experiences/thoughts.

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  • molliefish
    molliefish Member Posts: 723
    edited January 2017

    I had a reaction fairly early on into rads.. blistering and peeling skin, the techs were quite concerned. But that being said, they offered tons of support and tips for managing the skin and any pain. It was like a wicked sun burn most of the time. Can't speak to the armpit hair. I didn't have any hair when I started rads due to chemo, and I still only get a few stragglers on the radiated side. I need a mirror and a clipper to ensure I get them every week or so.

    I think if you want to get rid of the hair before it falls out you'd be fine to use a beard trimmer. I'd use some powder right after your radiation, make sure the skin is dry, and the trim away. The powder needs to be gone before the next radiation tx. You could also use corn starch to ensure the skin is dry for the trim. That hair won't be a problem much longer.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited January 2017

    Cherry, unfortunately, reactions to radiation therapy seem to vary completely from one woman to another so it's almost impossible to say what's "normal." (Sorry...) I got to a certain point and then it really didn't get much worse but I didn't KNOW that it wouldn't get worse, and dreaded how bad it MIGHT get. Also, things that were sore one week were o.k. the next. You could ask your radiation nurse or RO for some practical tips to ease the pain - and they should be able to suggest something more than just "this is normal."

    As to the armpit hair, you may find that it disappears soon. I actually shaved mine once with my regular razor (very, very carefully) and didn't need to again. Even now it barely grows - it rarely sweats on that side, either, which is a plus! All I'd say is that, whatever you do, don't use a depilatory cream, and do work cautiously.

    If you're not moisturizing at least a couple of times a day, try that. I found that pure aloe vera juice (chilled) was very helpful right after treatment as well as later in the day. Maybe that would soothe your skin, too. Good luck - it WILL be over sooner than you think, even though right now it seems endless.

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