Lotions or creams?

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LiseA
LiseA Member Posts: 266
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I am not enjoying the Aquaphor.  Sticky, gooey, yucky feeling.

A nurse at MDA mentioned Jeans Cream, but at $45 for 7 oz, I think I'll pass. Basically they said it's okay to use Coconut oil or any lotion we want as long as there is no alcohol.

I think someone mentioned Calendula.  What worked for you? 

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  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
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    That's what I hated about....

    Aquafor.....I couldn't stand having it on my neck!  I got Calendula Cream at the health food store....and Aloe 99.  I'd put the Aloe on, let it dry, and then put on the Calendula Cream.  I had radiation again this last February....and guess what?  The radiation office was handing out Calendula and Aloe as part of the "Welcome Kit"....My skin did pretty good the first time around (35 treatments)....and didn't hardly turn color the second time around (25 treatments).

    p

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    edited June 2016 #3
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    Creams

    Gold Bond unscented healing lotion worked for me and it's not expensive. The burns were so bad, the nurse looked like she was going to cry. Although it looks like my neck is kind of dirty all the time, there are no scars. Aquaphor was just too sticky. Aloe works well too, but my plant died!

  • Drivingdaisy
    Drivingdaisy Member Posts: 263
    #4
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    Creams

     I also used Gold Bond Ultimate Unsented Healing (7 moisturizers) with Aloe.  I used 100% Aloe Gel (kept in the refrigerator) after treatment for a couple hours, than the Gold Bond.  The minute my neck/lower face felt dry, on with the moisturizer.  Once my neck started getting red/sunburned I started also using SSD 1% Silver Sulfadiazine Cream (burn cream) prescribed by my Dr.  The Doctors and Nurses were surprised how well my neck did and I have no scars or discoloration.  Again, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.  Hope you are doing well.  Hugs,  Lisa

  • LiseA
    LiseA Member Posts: 266
    #5
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    Thanks for the suggestions.

    Thanks for the suggestions.  I did get the aloe gel but it dries out, so definitely need to moisturize. Will check WF out here or Amazon.  They were giving out Aquaphor at MDA but it's the yuckiest thing, and the ingredients do not sound healthy!  

  • SusanUES
    SusanUES Member Posts: 125
    edited June 2016 #6
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    I agree...Aquaphor is yucky!

    I hated that oily, super-greasy, thick stuff...both getting it on and off was a major pain.  I used it for the first week and then reverted to using First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream/Intense Hydration.  A friend gave me a jar well before cancer and I just loved it...been using it ever since.  It kept my neck, face and shoulders very smooth and emoliated and I only had one raw patch under my chin by week six.  Cleared up my neck hyper-pigmentation after radiation, too.  For bathing, another friend gave me a calendula shampoo she uses on her babies and that was super gentle, too.

     

  • Raddude
    Raddude Member Posts: 84
    #7
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    I used...

    Calendula and castor oil. a teaspoon of calendula and 2 tablespoons of castor oil. Then I would just dip my fingers in the bowl and rub on. Really helped me. Never had anything more than redness and tenderness on my neck. There is an excellent set of videos on you tube by Peter G. on skin care during and after radiation, Here's the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuHx34zwL0A 

  • LiseA
    LiseA Member Posts: 266
    edited June 2016 #8
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    Raddude, thank you. I will

    Raddude, thank you. I will definitely try the calendula and castor oil.

     

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    edited June 2016 #9
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    Silvadene cream

    was a lifesaver for us when my husband got nasty, weeping radiation burns on his neck. He didn't object to the Aquaphor too much.

    Barbara

  • LiseA
    LiseA Member Posts: 266
    #10
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    They said the Dilvadene is

    They said the Silvadene is for the end of treatment. Not sure why.

    I bought an aloe plant, pretty big one, and the Calendula cream and Alba Botanica unpetroleum multi purpose jelly.

    I am not especially thrilled by the push for Aquaphor at MDA.  It has no real healing properties and seems to be super heavy and messy. Will see how I do compared to those who are sticking with Aquaphor. 

  • Raddude
    Raddude Member Posts: 84
    #11
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    Aloe Plant

    I went through a few plants, great stuff!

     

  • Fritz
    Fritz Member Posts: 106
    #12
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    Lise:

    Lise:

    I am on about the same course as you and I am new to this site as well.  I am 13 of 33 rads complete.  I have been using pure Aloe Vera Gel from the start.  About a week in, my oncology nurse recommended Banana Boat After Sun Aloe lotion.  Believe it or not, they said they have had more success with this against the skin side effects than many of the higher priced lotions/creams.  I still use both the Aloe Vera Gel in conjunction with the Banana Boat lotion and all seems well at this point.  And you can't beat the price at under $5 at your local Wal-Mart.

    Hope this helps.

    Freddie

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