How To Care For Your Skin During Radiation Treatment

Since skin reactions are a common side effect ofapply a radiation cream up to 5-6 times per day, each
radiation therapy, you will need to pay specialand every time the skin feels sensitive. Note that the
attention to the skin area being irradiated whileskin area to be irradiated should be bare and dry for
undergoing your course of treatment. Here are a fewthe treatment itself!
tips:Once the course of therapy has ended, continue
1. Select a good cream and use it consistently.using your radiation cream for at least two weeks
Today, there are products made specifically for skinbecause the radiation keeps working and skin still
care during radiation. Your doctor or nurse mayneeds to be cared for.
advise a specific cream or leave the choice up toIf the part of the body being treated is in an area
you. With our product, we have found that peoplethat gets a lot of moisture or friction, such as the
have the greatest success and the least skin sideunderarms, some people have found it helpful to
effects when they start early and use our oneapply their radiation cream first, and to follow up with
product exclusively and consistently throughouta light dusting of corn starch.
treatment.2. Avoid sun exposure to treated area.
It's important to use a radiation cream regularly. And3. Wear only soft, loose, lightweight fabrics over the
so, you may want to buy two or three smaller sizestreatment area. If you are being treated for breast
tubes so you can keep one on your bedside tablecancer, avoid bras that might chafe or irritate your
and put the other one in your purse or car. Havingskin.
your radiation cream nearby at all times can make it4. Avoid artificial hot or cold packs. These can do
easier for you to apply it throughout the day.further damage to delicate irradiated skin.
We recommend people start applying their radiation5. Check your skin at the treatment site every day
cream once or twice daily several days beforeand alert your nurse or doctor to any changes.
beginning radiation. As soon as therapy begins, useIf your skin has reactions to your radiation
the cream immediately following treatment and mosttreatment, they will usually go away within a few
importantly, again at bedtime. In the event your skinweeks. Be sure to consult with your care team if any
begins to react to the radiation, apply the creamcondition lingers.
more often. In some cases, it may be necessary to