Radiation Burn

Can't offer much
I didn't have as much trouble with burning BUT my Dr. was really good at suggesting what I could try, giving out samples etc. Why don't you talk to your Dr. again and/or the nurses. Other women might be a little more sympathetic. Hope you heal really quickly!!!

Me too...
OMG, I so know how and what you're feeling. I had a mastectomy June 1st and began RADs the beginning of July. Just finished my last treatment on Aug. 15th.

My radiation oncologist recommended applying ample amounts of Polysporin cream to the burnt skin throughout the day and to use saline compresses to help alleviate the heat, pain and itching.

Avoid wearing a bra until you heal. I know this is a tricky thing to do if you have to be at work. What was suggested to me was to wear a soft cotton t-shirt under a button up blouse or shirt (a size larger than you'd usually wear), and accessorize with a really light cotton shawl or scarf.

If your skin is breaking and weeping, you may want to see your doc and have him/her show you how to wrap your skin in breathable gauze.

Silvadene/Sulfadene is
silvadene/Sulfadene is supposed to be great - have to get a script from DR. I burned VERY bad (the entire radiation area from mid chest around to back and up side of neck) but Silvadene/Sulfadene was not an option for me as I'm allergic to sulfa. I was given oxycodon for the pain and anti-biotics - luckily the deepest burns were under arm where nerves are 'dead' so I didn't feel the worst of the pain but it was bad enough. I was about to be sent to a burn unit when we tried Domebro soaks and they finally dried it up and let it heal.

Mepolix was useless - it would not stay on so I wore white T-shirts and changed them every 2 hrs. I don't know what I would have done had I worked.

As areas would heal so that they didn't weep continually i would keep the areas slathered down with Aquaphor but during the worst - it wouldn't stay on.

Talk to your DR as open burns are an invitation for infection to get in and the body is already compromised by all the treatments.

Susan

ladybroc said:

radiation burns
Hi--I finished my 33 doses of radiation in May and had burned quite badly.. I used Aquaphor with some results but it took awhile! I still have some sensitivity in the area but it's bearable!!

I used Aquaphor and
pure aloe--you can get them both at the drugstore. Like the others have said--use an old clean t-shirt--the Aquaphor is greasy.

Time will heal it--but it sure isn't comfortable. My best to you.

Hugs, Renee

ladyg said:

Another suggestion
instead of a bra in the daytime you could try a cammie with a shelf bra. I did not burn as bad as you so I was able to wear a sports bra most of the time. At the very end I did get a very light weight bra that was called "barely there". Also along with the Aquaphor I used Calendula Gel in the daytime. I worked well and is not greasy so I did not have to worry about my clothes. I got it at Whole Foods.

Hugs,
Georgia

ouch -so sorry to hear that
I;m in my second week of rads and using Aquaphor....

also got a radiation camisole from the TLC catalog which is very soft...I am also large breasted and shall we say a bit "saggy" - and the funny thing about the camisole is that the place to put your fake breast in is up around your neck whereas my real breast is somewhere down around my stomach!!! Lopsided to say the least. I go back to work tomorrow and my solution is to pin the fake breast (it's lightweight) lower down on the camisole so that I am more or less even....sigh....

Laura