Radiation burn question

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butterflylvr
butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
in Breast Cancer #1
Along my incision line just under my left breast I am super red. Over the weekend and for the past couple of treatments I've been applying the Biafine salve they prescribed to me this past Thursday. My question is can I just goop this on over my incision site, or is it best to let the area get some air as well and I should just apply it moderately? I'm concerned with thinning tissue in that area and I don't want anything popping open.

For the record, I have my last regular treatment tomorrow and I start boosters on Wednesday. My boosters will be on the top of my breast, so I have only one more treatment to muster through before hopefully some healing can begin.

Thanks in advance...
Lorrie

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  • mjjones453
    mjjones453 Member Posts: 155
    #2
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    burns
    Hi Lorrie, I was told to sit with a fan on the burn, airing it out will help the healing. It will hurt like crazy, the skin forms a scab, but I listened to what they told me. I would still apply the cram to the site. Mary
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #3
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    mjjones453 said:

    burns
    Hi Lorrie, I was told to sit with a fan on the burn, airing it out will help the healing. It will hurt like crazy, the skin forms a scab, but I listened to what they told me. I would still apply the cram to the site. Mary

    Call the rads center and check with the nurse or doctor
    Lorrie, when you say the incision is "under your breast," that sends up a little red flag for me, because my radiation oncologist had completely different "rules" for the area under my breasts than he did for the rest of the treatment field (I had radiation to both breasts.).

    While he wanted me to goop on the lotions generously everywhere else, he told me repeatedly NOT to use any lotion underneath my breasts, and to use cornstarch only there, to keep the area as dry as possible.

    This may or may not apply to you -- but, given the location, please do call today and check with the nurse or your doctor to make sure of the best way to handle it.

    Traci
  • robang13
    robang13 Member Posts: 333
    #4
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    Lorrie,
    My incision was
    Lorrie,

    My incision was under the breast also and boy did it get red! I was told to lubricate it just like the rest of my breast but to let it get air whenever I could. I was also told to wear no bra or a very loose fitting one. Remember I also had that fungus infection under there so I was putting the fungus cream, Xclair, Eucerin and pain cream, I took turns with all of them. The red finally went away about 2 weeks after my boosts which were centered under there as well. So, at night, after gooping everything on there I would lay there holding my boob up to get air. Some sight!!! During the day I would thinly cover the area and go bra less. You can hardly feel my scar now. The rads doc had a hard time finding it since it is rapidly going away, so I did something right : )

    Did you go for the breast down treatment too? I can't remember if it was you or not.

    Good luck with the boosts!

    Angela
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #5
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    TraciInLA said:

    Call the rads center and check with the nurse or doctor
    Lorrie, when you say the incision is "under your breast," that sends up a little red flag for me, because my radiation oncologist had completely different "rules" for the area under my breasts than he did for the rest of the treatment field (I had radiation to both breasts.).

    While he wanted me to goop on the lotions generously everywhere else, he told me repeatedly NOT to use any lotion underneath my breasts, and to use cornstarch only there, to keep the area as dry as possible.

    This may or may not apply to you -- but, given the location, please do call today and check with the nurse or your doctor to make sure of the best way to handle it.

    Traci

    Yes, talk to your own rads
    Yes, talk to your own rads oncologist. I personally, used lots of Biafine and even more Aquaphor on my breast, on it, under it, and, clear up to my collar bone. But, my incision wasn't under my breast.

    Good luck!
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #6
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    robang13 said:

    Lorrie,
    My incision was
    Lorrie,

    My incision was under the breast also and boy did it get red! I was told to lubricate it just like the rest of my breast but to let it get air whenever I could. I was also told to wear no bra or a very loose fitting one. Remember I also had that fungus infection under there so I was putting the fungus cream, Xclair, Eucerin and pain cream, I took turns with all of them. The red finally went away about 2 weeks after my boosts which were centered under there as well. So, at night, after gooping everything on there I would lay there holding my boob up to get air. Some sight!!! During the day I would thinly cover the area and go bra less. You can hardly feel my scar now. The rads doc had a hard time finding it since it is rapidly going away, so I did something right : )

    Did you go for the breast down treatment too? I can't remember if it was you or not.

    Good luck with the boosts!

    Angela

    Talk to your RO
    I used creams but went topless around the house (staying away from windows etc. so as not to freak out the neighbors and possibly get arrested for flashing). Some of those burns may get worse before they get better but my scar looks better now than before rads. Dr. suggested neosporin plus pain relief for the open blisters and then I used Gold BOnd ultimate soothing once the blisters healed. BUT go with the suggestions of the RO and nurses.
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #7
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    skipper54 said:

    Talk to your RO
    I used creams but went topless around the house (staying away from windows etc. so as not to freak out the neighbors and possibly get arrested for flashing). Some of those burns may get worse before they get better but my scar looks better now than before rads. Dr. suggested neosporin plus pain relief for the open blisters and then I used Gold BOnd ultimate soothing once the blisters healed. BUT go with the suggestions of the RO and nurses.

    Thank you gals, I did have
    Thank you gals, I did have my RO nurse check my owie yesterday and she said it all looks good down there. The darkness and peeling I am seeing is just dead skin tissue peeling away, but Doc will look closer today when they mark me for my "booster" dots. I think a trip to Walgreen's will also be on the agenda to pick up some aquaphor to lather up with this evening. No other major problems yet, other then the underside of the breast and that's just a skin discomfort. But boy I sure look like a lobster.

    Thanks for the great tips, I knew I could count on you girls.
    Hugs,
    Lorrie

    Oh and Traci, I am doing the cornstarch thing over my salves. Seems to keep it dryer down there.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #8
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    butterflylvr said:

    Thank you gals, I did have
    Thank you gals, I did have my RO nurse check my owie yesterday and she said it all looks good down there. The darkness and peeling I am seeing is just dead skin tissue peeling away, but Doc will look closer today when they mark me for my "booster" dots. I think a trip to Walgreen's will also be on the agenda to pick up some aquaphor to lather up with this evening. No other major problems yet, other then the underside of the breast and that's just a skin discomfort. But boy I sure look like a lobster.

    Thanks for the great tips, I knew I could count on you girls.
    Hugs,
    Lorrie

    Oh and Traci, I am doing the cornstarch thing over my salves. Seems to keep it dryer down there.

    Lorrie .. So sorry for your
    discomfort ... I am thrilled that several Sisters in PINK offered support, and remedies. Side efforts from chemo and/or radiation -- UGH!!!! Sometimes it appears like its never going to end .. !

    Take of yourself-- You are Precious and Loved.

    Strength, Courage and Hope

    Vicki Sam
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #9
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    butterflylvr said:

    Thank you gals, I did have
    Thank you gals, I did have my RO nurse check my owie yesterday and she said it all looks good down there. The darkness and peeling I am seeing is just dead skin tissue peeling away, but Doc will look closer today when they mark me for my "booster" dots. I think a trip to Walgreen's will also be on the agenda to pick up some aquaphor to lather up with this evening. No other major problems yet, other then the underside of the breast and that's just a skin discomfort. But boy I sure look like a lobster.

    Thanks for the great tips, I knew I could count on you girls.
    Hugs,
    Lorrie

    Oh and Traci, I am doing the cornstarch thing over my salves. Seems to keep it dryer down there.

    Glad it looks good for you
    Glad it looks good for you Lorrie. I used so much aquaphor that I wish I had taken stock in that company. LOL

    Soon you will be done! Good luck with your boosters.

    Lex

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