Dry, itchy, chapped skin 3 months post-radiation?

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AngelaJL
AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
edited March 2018 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hello! My radiation treatments finished December 9th, and since about mid- to late-January I've had significant tightness and tenderness in my right pectoral muscle (I had radiation only on the right side), and about a month ago I developed severely dry, chapped, itchy skin on that nipple and areola. COuld these be radiation related?

I've tried every moisturizer I can think of for the skin issue, including using the moisturizers I used during radiation, and nothing has helped. It just gets worse every day. Fortunately, I have my 6-month post-surgery mammogram on Monday (in two days), and my 3-month post-radiation follow-up on Wednesday, so I'm hoping one of the healthcare people I see this week will be able to help.

But in the meanwhile, has anyone else experienced this? Thanks

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited March 2018

    Hi Angela and sorry about those side effects so late in the game. Yes, they could be radiation related tho the tightness could still be from the sentinel node biopsy. My RO said to continue the stretching exercises and moisturizer for at least six months. Have you tried an over the counter anti-itch cream? Or aquaphor?

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited March 2018

    Hi Georgia! Thanks for the reply. I didn't have a sentinel node biopsy, so it's not from that, and they never gave me any stretching exercises. I've tried calendula cream, aloe vera gel, hydrocortisone anti-itch cream, neosporin (when the skin actually cracked open), and others. I haven't tried Aquaphor yet. That's next on my list!

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited March 2018

    Yup. My RO said rads compromises the oil glands in the skin. I get like that still a year later. Every couple of nights I put some Vaseline on the dry areas before bed and it helps. Aquaphor would do the same thing, I just can't use it because I am allergic to lanolin.

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited March 2018

    Interesting. I don't remember my RO mentioning this as a possible side effect, but I was on information overload at the time, so perhaps he did! Thank you for the reply!

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  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 679
    edited March 2018

    Definetly try a rich or emollient based moisturizer. Calendula, aloe and the hydrocortisone are not moristurizing, healing yes so layer them if you need some healing as well. Like the other poster said aquaphor is super rich and has good staying power and I mostly used Eucerin Healing lotion. It's super rich but more of a lotion compared to Aquaphor. I put it on before and immediately after a shower, I really found that helpful so that area just didn't dry back out every time a took a shower. Also, just like during rads maybe don't let the shower spray directly on the area. My RO told me I should moisturize for a really long time. Hope you get some relief soon!

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited March 2018

    TWills, thank you! I will pick up some aquaphor today and see if it helps.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited March 2018

    Angela, just one more note on stretching exercises, since I'm surprised that no one discussed that with you during radiation. I got both verbally and in writing, instructions from my RO that "...it is very important to participate in a stretching program that targets your affected chest area, both during and after your radiation treatment. Stretching is beneficial in preventing some of the post radiation stiffness that may develop while also helping reduce pain..."

    Here is one set of suggestions and I think they will help. Best wishes:

    http://campuslifeservices.ucsf.edu/dmx/PatientEd/S...




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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited March 2018

    Wow what a great link! Thank you for sharing.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited March 2018

    Mine didn't volunteer the information until I went to my 6 month follow up and asked why it was taking so long for the darkened skin to finish flaking off (I was afraid to peel it off). Then she shared with me the oil gland tidbit. So ladies, if your flaking radiated skin is just hanging out, no worries! A year out mine is almost back to normal skin. It took THAT long!! :-)

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited March 2018

    Follow-up: I started using Aquaphor on Sunday, and by Thursday, my skin was pretty much back to normal. What a dramatic improvement in such a short time!

    I saw my radiologist a few days ago, and he said everything looks normal. I need to start incorporating stretching into my days to get that pectoral muscle limbered up. And I'm supposed to keep using the Aquaphor as long as necessary.

    Thank you all for the input!

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited March 2018

    Terrific news! Glad we could help.

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  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 679
    edited March 2018

    So glad you found something that works!

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