The Dreaded Radiation Treatment Itches!

Jeanne D
Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
The itching is terrible. Anyone have any suggestions? I have only 1 more radiation treatment to the whole area..thank goodness. Then, I will have 12 booster's to the tumor site. I am using hydrocortisone creme, Aquafor, Biafine and even put aloe on it. I am not really burnt, just a little pink in a couple of places, but, the itching! It is driving me nuts..lol I will appreciate any advice and I will pass it on to my radiation oncologist. Thanks!
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Comments

  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #2
    cremes
    Wow! No, I think you have tried it all. I think I would try just the cortisone and see how that works. I've been using aquaphor and lighting scratching through my clothes.

    Maureen
  • Ltalcott
    Ltalcott Member Posts: 119
    #3
    Would tylenol help? With
    Would tylenol help? With dr. approval of course??

    lis
  • jakeca
    jakeca Member Posts: 92
    #4
    Ltalcott said:

    Would tylenol help? With
    Would tylenol help? With dr. approval of course??

    lis

    benedryl
    Or maybe benedryl, also with Dr's approval?
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #5
    jakeca said:

    benedryl
    Or maybe benedryl, also with Dr's approval?

    itching
    One of my little side-effects from chemo (don't know what part) ...was a terrific rash on my upper back. I couldn't find anything to stop the itching ... until I found EXTRA strength benedry cream. It works! Of course ... as the others have said ... check with your doctor first.

    hugs.
    teena
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #6
    Itchy Scratchy!
    My radiation oncologist told me that if I started itching ( and I did!) to ask him for a PRESCRIPTION for hydrocortisone creme, as the OTC brands would not be strong enough to take care of it. I got the RX, and it worked like a charm! Hope this helps you!

    Another thing I did~ I got a natural sponge and Aveeno body wash with colloidal oatmeal in it. In the shower I thoroughly saturated the sponge, added the Aveeno and when it foamed , squeezed it over the affected breast/radiation site. I NEVER rubbed the skin, but the using tepid water and the oatmeal-infused, unsented, non soap body wash was really soothing. After patting myself dry I used the hydrocortisone creme.

    Happy Healling!
    Huhs,
    Claudia
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #7
    Itching..BE GONE! lol
    My radiation oncologist gave me a new prescription today for some creme and it is already helping! I wish I would have known about it or asked for it sooner. But, the itching has stopped! And, now I am starting my "booster"s, so, the itchy part won't be getting zapped anymore by the radiation. YEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #8
    Jeanne D said:

    Itching..BE GONE! lol
    My radiation oncologist gave me a new prescription today for some creme and it is already helping! I wish I would have known about it or asked for it sooner. But, the itching has stopped! And, now I am starting my "booster"s, so, the itchy part won't be getting zapped anymore by the radiation. YEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #9
    Thank you Kourtnee!

    Thank you Kourtnee!
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #10
    I used a prescription
    I used a prescription hydrocortisone creme and that helped a lot with the itchy bumps. I also used Biafine for the burn, which really is just a little pink in places.
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #11
    OMG..Those Horrible Itches!
    I had them, but, I got a new prescription from the radiation oncologist and it stopped it. I have also heard that prescription strength hydrocortisone helps. And, there is a Jeans Creme that some say is fabulous! I think it has its own site. Jean, is a breast cancer survivor and invented the creme. NOW..stop scratching!!! :)
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #12
    chenheart said:

    Itchy Scratchy!
    My radiation oncologist told me that if I started itching ( and I did!) to ask him for a PRESCRIPTION for hydrocortisone creme, as the OTC brands would not be strong enough to take care of it. I got the RX, and it worked like a charm! Hope this helps you!

    Another thing I did~ I got a natural sponge and Aveeno body wash with colloidal oatmeal in it. In the shower I thoroughly saturated the sponge, added the Aveeno and when it foamed , squeezed it over the affected breast/radiation site. I NEVER rubbed the skin, but the using tepid water and the oatmeal-infused, unsented, non soap body wash was really soothing. After patting myself dry I used the hydrocortisone creme.

    Happy Healling!
    Huhs,
    Claudia

    Aveeno
    That's good stuff. I've been using it for years due to certain skin issues! The poor little Moopster is starting to get those red itchy bumps so I was just nosing around looking for info.
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #13
    Jeanne D said:

    Itching..BE GONE! lol
    My radiation oncologist gave me a new prescription today for some creme and it is already helping! I wish I would have known about it or asked for it sooner. But, the itching has stopped! And, now I am starting my "booster"s, so, the itchy part won't be getting zapped anymore by the radiation. YEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

    New Cream
    Jeanne, what was the name of the new cream? I'm starting to itch slightly (improved when I quit using the aquaphor and started using just aloe) but I wanna go for the big guns! Glad it is helping you. ♥ Pammy
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #14
    MSTI in Boise, where my radiation took place, gave out Regenecare (has lidocaine) lotionwhen my skin got itchy. It did the trick for me and I was never badly burned. xoxoxo Lynn
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490
    #15
    I agree with Benadryl.

    I agree with Benadryl.
  • Cindy54
    Cindy54 Member Posts: 452
    #16
    lanie940 said:

    I agree with Benadryl.

    I agree with Benadryl.

    A Year Out
    I am a year out and still have the itchies from time to time. I had a slight sunburn and the boosters also. Benadryl is about the only thing that works for me....Cindy
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #17
    Cindy54 said:

    A Year Out
    I am a year out and still have the itchies from time to time. I had a slight sunburn and the boosters also. Benadryl is about the only thing that works for me....Cindy

    Thanks All
    I started itching a few days ago and am miserable. I didn't know about Benadryl cream, which sounds good. Also, I'll call and ask dr. for the prescription hydrocortisone y'all mentioned.

    Guess just because rads is less awful than chemo doesn't mean it's actually trouble-free.

    A slow learner,
    Moopy
  • dbs1673
    dbs1673 Member Posts: 203
    #18
    Moopy23 said:

    Thanks All
    I started itching a few days ago and am miserable. I didn't know about Benadryl cream, which sounds good. Also, I'll call and ask dr. for the prescription hydrocortisone y'all mentioned.

    Guess just because rads is less awful than chemo doesn't mean it's actually trouble-free.

    A slow learner,
    Moopy

    ITCY
    I think the itching was the worst part of the treatments. I put my over the counter cream in the freezer. It made a huge difference and great relief. I had another tube I kept inmy lunch bag at work with it's own ice pace to keep it cold. Good luck the end is near!!

    dawn
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #19
    dbs1673 said:

    ITCY
    I think the itching was the worst part of the treatments. I put my over the counter cream in the freezer. It made a huge difference and great relief. I had another tube I kept inmy lunch bag at work with it's own ice pace to keep it cold. Good luck the end is near!!

    dawn

    I forgot about the
    I forgot about the itchiness. Mine was mostly my nipple. I took over the counter benadryl and it helped. Mine didn't last long but I am sure it can vary.
    Hopefully they will give you something to help cause its a itch you can't really scratch.
    Stef
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143
    #20
    Moopy23 said:

    Thanks All
    I started itching a few days ago and am miserable. I didn't know about Benadryl cream, which sounds good. Also, I'll call and ask dr. for the prescription hydrocortisone y'all mentioned.

    Guess just because rads is less awful than chemo doesn't mean it's actually trouble-free.

    A slow learner,
    Moopy

    hydrocortisone
    Yes, this is what my doc. recommended, too. She also said that putting your cream in the fridge would help with the itchness. Ugh. I hope it goes away soon.

    Mimi
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #21
    Moopy23 said:

    Thanks All
    I started itching a few days ago and am miserable. I didn't know about Benadryl cream, which sounds good. Also, I'll call and ask dr. for the prescription hydrocortisone y'all mentioned.

    Guess just because rads is less awful than chemo doesn't mean it's actually trouble-free.

    A slow learner,
    Moopy

    Moopy
    I didn't get the itchies yet. just a tan now. I did have hydrocortizone cream but just for the healing. My burn healed really fast..and now my skin is smooth as a baby's behind LOL!

    I hope you get something that works good. And that you heal really fast.

    I am still tired alot but that is getting a little better as the days go on. I am going to start walking in the evening again now that the weather has cooled off some. I'm hoping that will help also.

    Good luck, hugs, jackie

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