Silvadene Cream

Our patients have had a lot of success with Udderly Smooth cream - it comes in a big tub - good for elbows and feet, too! There are several skin care options. Some of the topical creams and lotions we recommend include Aquaphor, Biafine, Mederma, and Jean's Cream. We also recommend the use of Aloe Vera (plant or gel) or vitamin E cream. Much of this is individualistic and a matter of comfort.

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.