What's the best lotion for radiation skin care during treatment?

Going through radiation treatment a second time can be especially challenging, and finding effective skin care products that work for your specific needs is so important. Many community members have found success with various gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers specifically designed for radiation therapy - some popular options include Aquaphor, CeraVe, or specialized radiation skin care products that oncology teams often recommend. It would be worth asking your radiation team if they have other product recommendations beyond what was initially suggested, as they may have additional options that could work better for your skin's specific response to treatment.

I bought something called "Sunburnt." I found it in the drugstore in the sunscreen section. It has the exact same ingredients as the more expensive lotion many people recommend.

Miaderm with lidocaine helped me but was not super cheap. I think there is a clear film they can put on your breast too

Sunburnt (that I mentioned above) has the exact same ingredients as Miaderm and is much cheaper. You can get at a drugstore (or probably Walmart or Amazon) in the sunscreen aisle. If you want a lidocaine cream as well you can also get that cheaply pretty much anywhere. The lidocaine is for itchy skin.

Kb- Yes Mepitel film. The last hospital I was going to allowed you to use the film. I'm at a different hospital this time and they don't use it. Thanks Anne I will check into the Sunburnt never heard of it? There are studies saying aloe doesn't do squat and it's more of a placebo effect? It seems like most "creams" are petroleum based? I was surprised to see Aquaphor was petroleum as well? In that case why not use straight Vaseline?

I used cerave. Get the one in the tub, it's thicker.

A radiation oncologist specializing in breast would give you the best answers. It's essentially terrible sunburning. You need to make sure your radiation team approves of items to use. Aloe vera and calendula cream can help with the burnlike sensation (don't underestimate the power of aloe vera at hydrating and soothing). This is after (reactive) treatment. Eucerin/aquaphor/cetaphil CREAM or LOTIONS can be prophylactic (prior) and reactive treatment. Avoid shaving, using any scentes cleansers or soaps. Plenty of hydration and being active (walking- yay no running!) help. This allows our bodies to do their healing powers. These suggestions might need applied several times a day, but all topical should never be applied in the hours before radiation and only non-broken skin. If the skin is raw or breaking, you need your RO to help with preventing infection with SSD cream (prescription). Lidocaine sometimes is approved. Treatment can be done in shortened duration and intervals, too. Don't stop advocating and making sure your needs are heard by your team. Each patient is different, but we all deserve 100% from our cancer team.

I will say I haven't had radiation yet, but I've done all the prep. I find it disconcerting that the radiation oncologist I first saw said it's like getting a sunburn. It's very aggravating how they downplay side effects or don't say anything until you're having a problem. I've learned more from the threads here than from the radiation oncologist. It's frustrating and kind of makes me angry too.

My reaction was just like a sunburn. Started during the last days of treatment and Was gone in about a week. I know there are people who experience worse though

This is what I used for my 16 rounds of full breast radiation: Real Organic aloe Vera gel. Organic fractionated coconut oil. Organic calendula oil. And a lot of hydrating my body with water, aloe juice (organic), & juiced watermelon. And I used gauze/pads under my boob towards the end as I have larger breast and the skin on skin was aggravating and it was July. But besides that, my regimen worked well for me.

Anne! Yes sounds like they gave you the same BS line they gave me! "Just a little sunburn" Like you I work as well!! They need to be more honest especially if you're working! Down playing the fatigue and side effects make me angry! If they told the truth you could plan accordingly! I can tell you this the radiation is cumulative meaning...you will gradually start feeling worse and worse...so if possible you could take a week off work after your finished?? I'm working a "light" schedule during my 2nd go around which starts TODAY I had to fight for that and get a note from the radiologist! The reason you'll read drastic differences in side effects is due to the amount and location. Everything depends on how high of a dose they are giving you and location. Last time they radiated my liver by accident which made me deathly ill! My cancer is right side. Left sided you have to worry about heart damage. If they are getting anywhere near your heart or liver make sure they are using the breath holding technique (they didn't do that with me 1st time) that can "help" prevent damage.

I will be starting my third round of radiation on March 16. Like my second time, I will only have 5 days….. which is much easier then the first time which was 20 days. I used Aquaphor and Vanicream cream and had no issues with my second time having radiation. I wish you the best.

I Use Aquevera Once At Night Once 3 Hours Before Radiation Treatment.

One thing I would highly recommend it is that you make sure during radiation that you hydrate well I did lots of watermelon it really helped me a lot also lots of water. I just finished 16 radiation treatments it's been 5 months my breast has healed and I am like new thank God I think the reason they don't tell you the side effects is because everyone is different. I was fortunate I had minimal effect from the radiation because I followed the instructions always used the cream that they prescribed put it on immediately after the radiation and then wash it off prior to going to my appointment everyday.

I Had 20 Radiation Treatment Now 5 Years Of Arimidex 1mg Daily.

I Support Each One Of You Stay Healthy And Happy My Positive Viberations To All.

Melissa, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately I support myself and have very little PTO left before it rolls over again on July 31st. I can't afford to take time off. I know I'll have people praying for me and I'll do everything I can to minimize side effects.

I use Dermavitality Radiation Relief Cream and there is also a spray that you can keep in the frig for addition relief. You can order it online. I also use Vit E Oil that I put on my breast and underarm area which took the brunt of the radiation discoloring.

My radiation oncologist recommended Calendula Cream and it worked really well for me.

I used Biafine. My Dr recommended it. You can find it on Amazon. I highly recommend it. https://a.co/d/03mogsdI

Aquaphore or raw coconut oil works great and doesn’t stain your clothes

I used Aveeno but I add a good olive oil to it. Also, Magic Molecule spray keeps the area antiseptic. This was my 2nd radiation, too. Good luck to you ❤️

I have been using Aveeno and steroid cream ordered by my radiation oncologist. The team I have is wonderful. Warm towels to cover my arms and other breast. Both male and female all ver caring and considerate. Sorry for those having a hard time.

Here's what I ended up doing - since they didn't use Mepitel sheets I bought my own. After each radiation treatment I immediately applied DMSO drove home showered then applied Mepitel sheets which I left in place until the next treatment/day. Then repeated the same thing day after day. On the last day I applied the sheets and left them for a week. I just removed them yesterday and I'm not even pink! Basically I left the sheets on for almost 24 hours and only removed them for the treatment then briskly reapplied. I use dmso for burns especially from cooking. It works so well for that I figured I'd try it on radiation burns as well? Now I'll wait and see if I end up with lymphoedema and/or fibrosis??

I Had To Go Back To My Oncology Surgeon Monday I'm On Keflex 500mg 3x Daily For 7 Days I Have A Fungus Under My Are Where My Lymph Nodes Were Removed And Under My Breast From Radiation.