Radiation Burn

There are some preventive skin care regimens however there is a paucity of scientific data to support them. There are some preventive skin care regimens however there is a paucity of scientific data to support them.

So far, there doesn't seem to be any cream that effectively prevents developing a skin reaction. Link: http://1.usa.gov/nRZ87x So while sometimes women like to start something when radiation begins, I don't know that it makes a difference for the skin, but may make treatment easier to get thought emotionally.

Usually, I'll start with aloe or use Regenecare which has some numbing medicine in it. However, if it starts to peel then aloe's often too drying something moisturizing like Aquaphor is more useful. More serious desquamation/burns sometimes are best treated with Mepilex or other wound care products.

As for symptom relief of burning sensations, it will vary but may range from NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs) to mild narcotics or less commonly something like Neurontin/gabapentin. But it does differ so depends on each person's specific history, symptoms and clinical exam findings.

So far, there doesn't seem to be any cream that effectively prevents developing a skin reaction. Link: http://1.usa.gov/nRZ87x So while sometimes women like to start something when radiation begins, I don't know that it makes a difference for the skin, but may make treatment easier to get thought emotionally.

Usually, I'll start with aloe or use Regenecare which has some numbing medicine in it. However, if it starts to peel then aloe's often too drying something moisturizing like Aquaphor is more useful. More serious desquamation/burns sometimes are best treated with Mepilex or other wound care products.

As for symptom relief of burning sensations, it will vary but may range from NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs) to mild narcotics or less commonly something like Neurontin/gabapentin. But it does differ so depends on each person's specific history, symptoms and clinical exam findings.

Hi Elyn:
Please feel free to call me Matt. Good question!

With whole breast radiation, there are patient-related and technical reasons that many women get radiation dermatitis in the armpit and underneath the breast.

First, there tends to be a higher skin dose in the underarm and inframammary fold, or underneath the breast. This is due to how the radiation beam treats across the chest and tends to be higher than in the middle of the breast.

Second, normal motion of the arm and breast can create friction and further add to the inflammation being caused by the radiation directly. In very large-breasted women, the skin reaction can be substantial, so it's helpful to treat lying prone (on your stomach) rather than supine (on your back) to lessen the reaction.

We don't entirely know why some women are more sensitive to radiation, but there is likely a genetic component or other individual factors that contribute. http://1.usa.gov/ouAaTJ , http://1.usa.gov/nYS2tY




Hi Elyn:
Please feel free to call me Matt. Good question!

With whole breast radiation, there are patient-related and technical reasons that many women get radiation dermatitis in the armpit and underneath the breast.

First, there tends to be a higher skin dose in the underarm and inframammary fold, or underneath the breast. This is due to how the radiation beam treats across the chest and tends to be higher than in the middle of the breast.

Second, normal motion of the arm and breast can create friction and further add to the inflammation being caused by the radiation directly. In very large-breasted women, the skin reaction can be substantial, so it's helpful to treat lying prone (on your stomach) rather than supine (on your back) to lessen the reaction.

We don't entirely know why some women are more sensitive to radiation, but there is likely a genetic component or other individual factors that contribute. http://1.usa.gov/ouAaTJ , http://1.usa.gov/nYS2tY

how you feel about the treatment is the key. i use drawings to get patients to display themselves receiving treatment and when a purple beam comes from god and another draws a body in a trapped box or a gas chamber they have side effects even when there is no radiation given. others say i get out of the way and let it go to my tumor and have no side effects.
when a radiation machine had no radioactive material in it the radiation therapist did not realize it for 30 days when machine was inspected. because people acted as if they were being treated. their mind created what they expected. how you feel about the treatment is the key. i use drawings to get patients to display themselves receiving treatment and when a purple beam comes from god and another draws a body in a trapped box or a gas chamber they have side effects even when there is no radiation given. others say i get out of the way and let it go to my tumor and have no side effects.
when a radiation machine had no radioactive material in it the radiation therapist did not realize it for 30 days when machine was inspected. because people acted as if they were being treated. their mind created what they expected.

There is a wonderful product that is very helpful in burns such as radiation burns, cuts and abrasions in fact I use it quite a lot for scrapes and cuts, though it is VERY messy and stains everything it comes in contact with. It is called Gentian Violet, available in the pharmacy or some health food stores. This product was recommended to a friend who was having rads. and it quickly alleviated the burns. At the beginning of treatment, before you have any side effects, moisturize the skin after your daily treatment with an ointment such as A&D, Eucerin, Aquaphor, Biafene, Radiacare, aloe preparation, vitamin E cream, or emu oil. Some people get some relief by blowing air on the area with a hair dryer set to "cool" or "air" (no heat). Be careful wearing a bra if there are raw areas. Perhaps try soft bras.

If your skin becomes dry and flakey during the course of your treatment, moisturize frequently and cleanse skin gently.

For mild pinkness, itching, and burning, apply an aloe vera preparation or non-prescription 1% hydrocortisone cream thinly over the affected area. Your physician may prescribe lidocaine cream which helps the burning feeling.

If areas become red, itchy, sore, and starts to burn, and low-potency cream no longer relieves your symptoms, ask your doctor for a stronger steroid cream available by prescription. Examples include 2.5% hydrocortisone cream and bethamethasone.

If your skin forms a blister, leave the the blister alone. The blister keeps the area clean while the new skin grows back underneath. Try to keep the area relatively dry washing with warm water. Then apply a non–adherent dressing, such as Xeroform dressings (laden with soothing petroleum jelly) or "second skin" dressings made by several companies. For pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever (acetominophin), or ask your doctor for a prescription if you need it.

For more severe burn reactions, a typical treatment includes pain pills and silvadene prescribed by the physician. Apply silvadene to the burned skin with pads to cover the area. The pads my be wrapped with gauze.