| Radiation dermatitis is a skin condition which is due to | | | | sustains even the tiniest tear. After all, your skin's |
| radiation treatment for cancer. Much of the | | | | most important function is as a barrier protecting the |
| discomfort you experience is due to inflammation. | | | | rest of you from bacterial, viral, environmental |
| (Inflamed means burning and that's what it feels like.) | | | | threats. This is especially important for your vital |
| When you understand the common problems that | | | | organs. When medical treatment weakens that |
| result, you will be in a good position to help yourself | | | | barrier, bacteria and viruses move right in and set up |
| feel better with a few sensible and simple routines. | | | | housekeeping. |
| Here are a few examples of radiation-damaged skin: | | | | The last thing you need now is an invasion by nasty |
| Dryness, even excessive dryness - The obvious | | | | pathogens, especially when so many are becoming |
| solution to dryness is to add moisture. This process is | | | | resistant to antibiotics. |
| called hydration. It sounds easier than it is because | | | | There is a new spray-on liquid (also available in gel |
| the moisture needs to penetrate cells deep in the | | | | form) that gives excellent results against all of the |
| layers of your skin. Tap water doesn't do that | | | | above without any harmful or uncomfortable side |
| because it tends to leave a film on surface skin, a | | | | effects. It has passed multitudes of laboratory tests |
| film that holds whatever pollutants which have | | | | with flying colors. It is not a product of Big Pharma -- |
| managed to enter even the purest water supplies. | | | | could that be the reason your doctor has not heard |
| Look for products containing ingredients which can | | | | of it? |
| draw moisture from the air, such as Hyaluronic Acid. | | | | Itching, burning (with out without infection), can |
| You can find these in the finest skin care lines and it | | | | make you slightly uncomfortable, moderately |
| is important that the product contain enough of the | | | | miserable, or drive you absolutely wild. At times, |
| ingredient to be effective. Unfortunately, most | | | | these "unintended consequences" of radiation therapy |
| products tend to skimp on the effective but costly | | | | become downright unbearable. They can destroy the |
| ingredients. Tender, radiation-damaged skin benefits | | | | quality of your life. |
| from these soothing natural moisturizers. Hint: For | | | | Fight back! |
| best results, apply moisturizers while your skin is still | | | | You can learn to reduce inflammation. Knowledge is |
| damp after bathing. | | | | the key. Start by learning why your radiation therapy |
| Itching is an annoying result of dryness. This may | | | | makes your skin burn, itch -- even blister and bleed. |
| range from a slight annoyance to itching all over. With | | | | Then learn what you can do about it safely, |
| itching comes scratching -- and scratching can lead to | | | | inexpensively. There's plenty of information out there |
| more problems, more irritation; scratching can cause | | | | -- you can track it down; gather what you need. Or |
| breaks in your skin which let infection in. De-sensitizing | | | | find someone who has already done this for you. It's |
| ingredients are needed to relieve the urge to scratch. | | | | always a good idea to talk over what you learn with |
| Steroid-based medications are routinely prescribed | | | | your medical team. Perhaps they will learn something, |
| here but have their own limitations -- such as adding | | | | too. |
| more chemicals for your body to deal with while it's | | | | Sorry, no "instant cures". No magic bullets. No instant |
| in a vulnerable state. Chemicals more readily lead to | | | | results. Slow and steady wins this race, too. Healing is |
| irritation of delicate skin cells. Natural alternatives may | | | | a natural process and Nature works at her own pace. |
| help you to avoid uncomfortable reactions. | | | | For lasting results, you will have to be patient. This is |
| Redness, burning -- inflammation is evident here. Your | | | | essential. Give your cells time to heal and return to |
| burning skin needs to be cooled. Try soothing the | | | | normal. This will always take longer than you hope -- |
| hurt with botanicals that have been used since | | | | do you think it's worth the wait? |
| primitive times to calm burns. You have heard of | | | | You must understand, also, that as long as your |
| chamomile and Aloe Vera (the burn plant). | | | | treatment continues, the damage to your skin from |
| Anti-oxidants help prevent infection and promote | | | | burning continues, too. When radiation therapy injures |
| healing. Vitamin C, for example. | | | | your skin and interferes with your quality of life, you |
| Infection can be an particularly unpleasant side-effect | | | | can take action to minimize the hurt, to promote |
| of radiation therapy. It's a threat any time your skin | | | | healing. You will feel better about yourself sooner. |