What Do You Think Of Offering Rad Tips For Those That Are Just Starting Treatment Now Or Soon?
First and foremost though, do only what your own rads oncologist suggests. These tips are just what we did, per our own rads oncologist's approval.
For mine...Use your creams from day one if your rads oncologist prescribes some and continue to use them for awhile even after you are finished with rads as you are still "cooking". I used Aquaphor to keep my skin moist and I used the prescription Biafine for any burn that I might get. I went thru a lot of Aquaphor. I mainly used it at night and put on one of my hubby's old tshirts, as, it stains bad. So, I knew I could wash it in hot water or just throw it away when I was finished with rads.
Sue
Comments
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Back when I had radiation if
Back when I had radiation if the burn was bad enough they would give me Radia Care Gel sheets which were quite soothing. They stay in the fridge and when applied they are cool which feels great. They are expensive, they are sold on Amazon here is a link, you'll need to copy and past it.
http://www.amazon.com/Carrington-CA101052-Radiacare-Inch-Sheets/dp/B001SINCG2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qi[phone number redacted]63&sr=8-1
Another thing that you can do while having radiation is to lightly dust the radiated area with corn starch (yes the stuff in your kitchen.) I was instructed to made a corn starch dust ball of sorts using cheese cloth or a stocking (sock) tying off the end. This really worked well as it made it easy to apply lightly. The cornstarch helps to keep the radiated area from chafing. I also used Aloe Vera gel regularly which was very soothing.
Hope you find this helpful.
RE0 -
I failed chemo hahaha butsylvan said:cool wash cloths
They told me to keep damp wash cloths in the fridge and put them on my burned areas when they bothered me.
I failed chemo hahaha but did great in rads. I started using aquaphor prior to starting rads. then I used it 3 times a day faithfully. didnt wear it prior to radiation treatment but then applied it in the dressing room. Traci suggested wearing a man's tee shirt at night as the aquaphor stains. It worked great.0 -
Great advice, all!! NEVERcarkris said:oh yes dont rub in the
oh yes dont rub in the shower only pat the area dry.
Great advice, all!! NEVER use soaps with dyes, perfumes or additives~ and as Carkris mentioned don't, don't, don't rub your skin! Even if it doesn't look burned, it is, and rubbing it is one of the worst things you can possibly do!
When showering, I used Aveeno body wash~ it is colloidal oatmeal ( skin soothing) and a natural sea sponge. I saturated the sponge with water, put Aveeno on it, made bubbles and squeezed the warm bubbles over my skin~ NEVER allowing the sponge to touch my skin. ( have I made the no rubbing part clear??? LOL) I also didn't have the water temperature too hot either.
The rad center I went to had tubes of Aquaphor for the taking~ I slathered that on profusely~ I also went bra-less and wore a big man's shirt~ one which could get stained. I worked as a caregiver in the home of an elderly woman~ she didn't care thankfuly how I dressed! This "outfit" might not have worked so well in corporate America! :-)
I was also told that if I started itching ( which I eventually did) to ask my Dr. for a prescription of Cortisone cream~ the OTC brands would not be strong enough to take care of the itch.
As with chemo~ drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated!
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
Great idea
I never heard of Aqua Phor or anything else. I was not told anything, it was a friend, Gagee who told me to come on this site and what to do when I told her my skin was cracking after about 10 days.
So I agree with all of the above, use the creams from day one. Use Dove unscented or another soap with no perfumes, and get rest when you need it.0 -
Great tip Re to put theRE said:Back when I had radiation if
Back when I had radiation if the burn was bad enough they would give me Radia Care Gel sheets which were quite soothing. They stay in the fridge and when applied they are cool which feels great. They are expensive, they are sold on Amazon here is a link, you'll need to copy and past it.
http://www.amazon.com/Carrington-CA101052-Radiacare-Inch-Sheets/dp/B001SINCG2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qi[phone number redacted]63&sr=8-1
Another thing that you can do while having radiation is to lightly dust the radiated area with corn starch (yes the stuff in your kitchen.) I was instructed to made a corn starch dust ball of sorts using cheese cloth or a stocking (sock) tying off the end. This really worked well as it made it easy to apply lightly. The cornstarch helps to keep the radiated area from chafing. I also used Aloe Vera gel regularly which was very soothing.
Hope you find this helpful.
RE
Great tip Re to put the sheets in the fridge. I remember someone saying they used Aloe Vera gel and they kept it in the fridge too to make it cool when you put it on.
Thanks,
Sue 0 -
Perfect timing then to startdebi.18 said:Thanks Sue!
I had my first one today. My rad onc didn't give me any prescription creams yets, said would wait to see if I needed them. Said lubriderm and aloe were good to use for now.
Taking notes of all the tips. Thanks ladies!
Hugs,
Debi
Perfect timing then to start this post to help you pinkies out that are starting. You use whatever your rads oncologist says to use Debi.
It takes a few weeks before you see or feel anything going on, but, I feel it is important to start right off taking good care of your skin.
Good luck sisters that are starting. Keep us updated on how you do.
Sue 0 -
Yes, I was told to use Tom'sKylez said:Great idea!
Do not use any deodorant with aluminum, which I think most have. My rads oncologist said I could use Tom's of Maine, since it was aluminum free.
Yes, I was told to use Tom's too, but, I never used it as I didn't sweat at all under the arm where my node was taken. And, I still don't sweat there or anywhere where I had rads.
Thanks Kylez!0 -
Good tip Sylvan! I hadn'tcarkris said:I failed chemo hahaha but
I failed chemo hahaha but did great in rads. I started using aquaphor prior to starting rads. then I used it 3 times a day faithfully. didnt wear it prior to radiation treatment but then applied it in the dressing room. Traci suggested wearing a man's tee shirt at night as the aquaphor stains. It worked great.
Good tip Sylvan! I hadn't heard of that one, so, thanks.
Aquaphor was my best friend I think Carkris! I was a greasy mess, but, I know it helped my skin.0 -
Get lots and I mean lots ofchenheart said:Great advice, all!! NEVER
Great advice, all!! NEVER use soaps with dyes, perfumes or additives~ and as Carkris mentioned don't, don't, don't rub your skin! Even if it doesn't look burned, it is, and rubbing it is one of the worst things you can possibly do!
When showering, I used Aveeno body wash~ it is colloidal oatmeal ( skin soothing) and a natural sea sponge. I saturated the sponge with water, put Aveeno on it, made bubbles and squeezed the warm bubbles over my skin~ NEVER allowing the sponge to touch my skin. ( have I made the no rubbing part clear??? LOL) I also didn't have the water temperature too hot either.
The rad center I went to had tubes of Aquaphor for the taking~ I slathered that on profusely~ I also went bra-less and wore a big man's shirt~ one which could get stained. I worked as a caregiver in the home of an elderly woman~ she didn't care thankfuly how I dressed! This "outfit" might not have worked so well in corporate America! :-)
I was also told that if I started itching ( which I eventually did) to ask my Dr. for a prescription of Cortisone cream~ the OTC brands would not be strong enough to take care of the itch.
As with chemo~ drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated!
Hugs,
Chen♥
Get lots and I mean lots of rest. It is strange, but, all of a sudden the exhaustion will sneak up on you.
I didn't notice anything for a few weeks, no changes in my skin, nothing, and, then my skin started getting tender and I was needed a nap during the day.
Try to eat healthy too and drink as much water as you can.
All good advice and good luck to everyone.
Hugs, Megan0 -
I wore underwire bras, and,sylvan said:soap
No deodorant soaps.
I wore underwire bras, and, I was told not to. I bought some camisole's to wear, but, usually just went without anything.
With the weather getting cool now, you can put on baggy, big clothes and no one will know.
Lex0 -
Another cream to try.camul said:Great idea
I never heard of Aqua Phor or anything else. I was not told anything, it was a friend, Gagee who told me to come on this site and what to do when I told her my skin was cracking after about 10 days.
So I agree with all of the above, use the creams from day one. Use Dove unscented or another soap with no perfumes, and get rest when you need it.
I used Aquaphor at night and a light application early in the morning. When I was getting dressed after my treatment I used Calendula Gel. It worked well and is not greasy so it does not stain your clothes. Another deoderant that is acceptable is Herbal Clear Sport. It also does not contain aluminum. Good wishes for all who are just starting rads.
Hugs,
Georgia0
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