How long to heal

skipper54

I know everyone is different - I've included that in several of my answers to questions too - but can anyone chime in on about how long it takes to heal burns from radiation? I've got a pretty nasty burn on my side under my arm - opened blisters, peeling skin etc, and really sore. I've been using the cream the docs gave me and wearing men's cotton t-shirts but this still hurts - actually more pain than from surgery. Any input would be welcome and an idea of how long it took anyone else to heal would help.

Thanks

mjjones453

radiation burns
Hi Skipper, I had two burns one under my breast, and one under my armpit. For me the burns healed within a weekof the last boost. I was surprised at how quick they did heal. Of coarse everyone is different in their healing process. I did sit with my bra off, and a fan on the soars, which hurt terrible, but it helped. I wish you quick healing, Mary

Rague

Takes time but will heal
I burned very bad after rads - the entire radiation area was opened up - some deeper than others. Definatly have "good" scars from it. Some even went up the side of my neck (didn't realize that it had been targeted but it was); the worst deepest thankfully were side of chest, under arm and around to back where there is nerve damage from surgery so never felt the pain from them - the other areas were bad enough - Vicodan and Oxycodone were my friends and I don't like to take any pain pills. The worst of the burns took 6 weeks for the last scabs to come off. I'm allergic to Sulfa drugs so Silvadene/Sulfadene were not an option for me but what finally dried them up was Domeboro soaks (Dr's directions). My PA was about to send me to a burn unit when the Soaks started working.

Definately white T-shirts - I had to change every 2 hrs or less.

Dr still has no idea why I burned as bad as I did - had only tanned during rads until next to the last and it was just a slight pink but by the morning after the last rad I was definately burned and it kept 'cooking' for quite a while.

It will take some time - but it WILL heal.

Susan

ennie__1

Not Sure..
if this is much help my rad burns never got much worse then a bad sun burn but my doctor gave me a gel called Natural Care Gel. Its a greaseless topical preparation for skin irritations. It worked pretty well for me, about one week and I noticed a differance in my burn. Hope you heal soon burns are never any fun to deal with.

mollyz

ennie__1 said:

Not Sure..
if this is much help my rad burns never got much worse then a bad sun burn but my doctor gave me a gel called Natural Care Gel. Its a greaseless topical preparation for skin irritations. It worked pretty well for me, about one week and I noticed a differance in my burn. Hope you heal soon burns are never any fun to deal with.

Thanks for that question
I'll be doing #24 tomorrow and under my arm is really getting dark and i hope my skin can hold up for the next 10 I think the last 5 will be boosters I use the aquaphor right after rads and i come home and take off everything and when i do go out i wear the t-shirt and the bra over it so far so good.I just realized my back was getting it also. I wish you good skin and me too keep us posted. MOLLYZ

gagee

This may sound strange but..
The RN at onoc's office told me to use Preparation H on the burns. I was burned blood red on my breast and underarm. So I used that and Aloe Vera Gel. Check with your doctor about this. Don't want to tell you something that could hurt you. Like I said the RN suggested this and it worked for me.

Good luck.. My prayers are with you... Diana

disneyfan2008

@skipper
so sorry you have to deal with this...I was very fortunate I DID NOT burn, chap etc at all. I ended up with large box size tan chest...and I DINT" notice that until the end. I did use daily cream I was given at cancer center..sample bottles..I am not sure of the name of it.

I wish I had some suggestions...but DO NOT...

I just wanted you to know I am thinking of you and hope it gets beter soon

sparkle1

I too burned very bad during
I too burned very bad during rads. I had 33 treatments. I used just about everything on the market. The last week on rad was very bad but I stuck it out. What did help me tremendously was the Silvadene and the Domeboro soaks. I finished on November 16, 2010 and still have the battle scars, very visible on the side of my neck. I’m using vitamin E and aloe now which is slowly helping to even out my color. Hope your recovery goes faster than what I am experiencing.
Sparkle

skipper54

thansk to all
Thanks for all the input! Ane the good wishes! I just had 31 of 33 treatments today - started burning around 24 so have been fairly lucky. The burns started seeping over the weekend and have been really sore. Dr. this morning told me I can use Neosporin plus pain relief and that has helped. Also turning t-shirts inside out so seams are away from the tender skin. The area that is really burned is about 2 x 8 on my side, under my arm. The last treatment to that area was last Wednesday, now just on the scar site from my mastectomy. Hopefully there will be a treatment someday that doesn't include burns.

Thanks again for all the good wishes. Best to all of you also!