What is best for the neck burn and itch?

PJ47
PJ47 Member Posts: 376
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I have a cream called Alra which the R/O gave me to use and it is soothing and I apply it 3X a day, but the itching is getting to me.  I know I may take benedryl but do not want to as it makes me too sleepy to drive.  Any thoughts on what to use for the itching?

 

PJ

Comments

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #2
    Aloe

    I was a Aquaphor girl.  Phrannie had good luck with Calendula cream.  Aloe vera plain might help.  You might check with treatment team and see what else might help.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    I got the

    Calendula cream at the health food store in the baby section (it's for diaper rash).....I'd put Aloe Vera on first, let it dry, then slather my neck with the Calendula.  It was summer when I was in treatment, so I didn't have anything clothing wise, close to my neck, either. 

    p

  • spector551
    spector551 Member Posts: 109
    #4
    phrannie51 said:

    I got the

    Calendula cream at the health food store in the baby section (it's for diaper rash).....I'd put Aloe Vera on first, let it dry, then slather my neck with the Calendula.  It was summer when I was in treatment, so I didn't have anything clothing wise, close to my neck, either. 

    p

    Calendula Cream...

    The problem I had with Calendula is that it smelled wonderful when smelling it in the jar, but after I put it on, something about it changed and I simply couldn't stand it. It literally drove me nuts and after two days of trying, I had to give up on it and went with the Aquaphor. It did the trick for me. The Calendula is worth a try though because I liked the way it felt - just couldn't deal with the smell in the long term.

     

    God bless,

    Jamie

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #5
    MD insists I use Alra

    I think she will allow Aquafor but my skin would probably tear off if I used that now.  It is quite thick.  I did use calendula in the beginning until she was upset I was not using the Alra she supplied.  The itching is really problematic for me at this point.  Now wearing husband's v-neck T and that feels so much better.  Thank you for the suggestions,

    PJ

  • Time Bandit
    Time Bandit Member Posts: 23
    #6
    My wife would cover my neck

    My wife would cover my neck with aloe plant leaf juice. Worked real good, don’t have any scars and I don’t have to shave my neck anymore. 

  • lornal
    lornal Member Posts: 428
    #7
    Time Bandit said:

    My wife would cover my neck

    My wife would cover my neck with aloe plant leaf juice. Worked real good, don’t have any scars and I don’t have to shave my neck anymore. 

    Hmmmm

    PRoblem with this is keeping the aloe plant alive long enought to get the leaf juice.  My husand and I are good plant killers!  We killed our aloe plant - and that's not an easy task.

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #8
    lornal said:

    Hmmmm

    PRoblem with this is keeping the aloe plant alive long enought to get the leaf juice.  My husand and I are good plant killers!  We killed our aloe plant - and that's not an easy task.

    I have an aloe plant that is not dead yet,

    There is aloe in the Alra cream.  Called my R/O today while at Walgreens to ask what to do about the itching and she said to use over the counter hydrocortisone 1% cream.  I bougth some and put it on and it helped stop the itching.  It has petroleum in it and made my neck so shiny that I knew I could not go to Rads like that so I washed it off carefully and the rad therapists said it was good that I did that or they would have had to remove it.  It can intensify the rad. tx.  Certainly do not want that!

    Applying it tonight and hope it is not shiny by tomorrow's treatment.

     

    PJ

  • Steve5
    Steve5 Member Posts: 147
    #9
    100 percent

    100 percent aloe or calendula, although the aloe does not have an odor so makes it easier to take for me,

    Steve

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