I am 9 days post radiation. I dont want to say too much here that will scare people who are about to start. But i have skin which has come off and is weeping.Anyone know if i can use an antiseptic powder to dry out a bit or will that make it worse?

Oh my 😩. I remember that pain. I was also burnt in my underarms, between breasts and under them. That’s where Mepitel refused to stay. I made a litre of saline soak, then put a soft tea towel inside, drenched it, lay down on a towel on my bed, and put the soaked tea towel on my chest. Completely covered it. It was so soaked the water would run down me, but I had the towel underneath. I stayed like that for 20 mins. The tea towel was too soaked to stick to the sores. This was in winter so I was quite cold, but I had to try it. It was too painful otherwise. After that soak, I’d gently scrape the old skin away. It came off easily cos it had been softened. And then the inside goo of an aloe vera plant, all over, which I’d kept in the fridge. After that a couple hours Flamigel. Then before bed the 20 min saline soak again, and more aloe vera. I put the chunky fleshy part right on the burnt parts, inside my bra. The next morning they were all dried up and shrunken. It took ages to do and hurt, but was soooo worth it. I’m telling you, I think actually 2 days later I felt no more pain, but it was still red, so I kept doing it for about a week. Then I just used aloe flesh and Flamigel for another week. Good as new, soft and smooth. I couldn’t believe it. Other ladies have said the same of both these methods. And now no signs of radiation. A lady I worked with had bc before me. She told me her radiation burns were horrendous. She went on holiday with her partner right after it, and went swimming in the sea. She said it hurt really bad, but was healed a couple days later, no more pain. The salt soak and aloe do wonders, just do them longer. In any case, I’m hoping it goes away. No one should have that pain. Hugs to you ♥️

Hi @lrb_03,I had a telehealth. Mainly because it hurts to drive. I texted rad onc a photo. He said my side effects were severe. I think i needed reassurance that i was doing the right things and it would end sometime . He said i could arrange as many appts with him as i wanted. I agree that the nurses are a bit unhelpful. I attended a large organisation that treats public and private patients. Im private but it should not make a difference in the treatment. Pain is pain and care should be given where it is needed. I do wonder if the "trying to be a profitable business," interferes with the caring. Im sure they do their best but empathy should not be in short supply and once your treatment is over you should not be made to feel that they are too busy to care for your "normal" experience. Im not a trained health person and trying to decide how to look after wounds whilst in pain has been hard. Luckily my sister, who lives interstate, is a nurse and told me what dressings to buy so things stopped sticking. Anyhow, im told it will take time to heal. I have a surgeon appt thursday which will be interesting since he wont be able to touch me. He usually likes to admire his work and check for lumps. I do not know what he will say. Thanks for asking. It hasnt been pleasant but i think it will get better.Michele

Sorry to hear @MicheleR 😟. I’m not sure about antiseptic powder. I had areas that weren’t covered by the Mepitel, that were also burnt and broken skin. By onco’s recommendation, I did a saline soak (I made it) twice a day. Soaked area for about 20 mins each time. Then used gauze to scrape old skin away (painful yes, but worked). Straight after that I smeared aloe leaf flesh all over it. I had it on all day and night. In between those two, I’d also apply Flamigel. 3 days later no pain, skin healed. 2 weeks later good as new. Good luck, I’m hoping whatever you use works well and rids you of your pain 💜

Totally agree, @lrb_03 .... there should be at least one qualified burns treatment nurse in every Cancer Centre/Rads Centre .... @MicheleR's treatment has really been totally unacceptable and I am so sorry it has been this bad for this long.Have you been keeping pics of the burns? I would suggest everyone with bad burns to do so.I have just written off to the Fiona Wood Foundation in WA (she invented the liquid skin for burns victims) to see if Fiona & her team might be interested in looking into the treatment of Radiation Burns specifically - as it can be such a nasty type of burn and can leave people scarred forever - both mentally and physically. I look forward to hearing back from them & will pass it on to you. xxTake care & have as good an Easter as you can. xx

@MicheleR I used Bepanthen antiseptic cream on my burn, it healed really quickly and there was nothing to show by the time I saw the rad oncologist, of course.

Radiation burns how to treat | BCNA Online Network

30 Replies

lrb_03
Member
5 years ago
Love it 😀😂

Just not that you needed all that
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Humour.
Jwrenn
Member
5 years ago
@MicheleR I remember sudocream was great for nappy rash. I haven’t read about anyone on here using it but I think others had suggested bepanthem and I think it’s for cracked nipples when breast feeding so I figured it was a good option. I now use it for anytime I need an antiseptic ointment
lrb_03
Member
5 years ago
That's good to hear, @MicheleR

Keep going with what you're using, as it's working
Enjoy your Easter
arpie
Member
5 years ago
Woohoo! Awesome @MicheleR! The cream I was told to use also had zinc in it .... it was very greasy, but I used it and had no problems, but I also didn’t have any real skin breakdown either. They suggested I put new blue ‘wipes’ between me and my clothes (cut to size) as the zinc can stain your clothes.

You are STRONG .... you CAN do this! Hopefully in 12 months time, you’ll look back on this whole episode and pump your fist and say “YES”!

take care and I hope you are having a lovely Easter xx
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Jwrenn,

I started on bepanthen but i was told to go to sudocream because zinc aids healing. Bloody messy i might say but soothing if you can get it on.

To everyone, i seem to be an extreme case. I have very sensitive skin. You may remember i had hives for 5 months on my face hands and chest during chemo. It probably wont happen to you.

I did everything i was told to do but sometimes you can be the outlier.

Im telling myself that nothing could live through that burn and that is a very good thing. Surgeon very happy with my progress, commenting that i had had lots of up and downs but ultimately still smiling. This seems to be the theme of my life all along. I never do things the easiest way but ultimately get there. Sometimes i wish that i would take the easier path. Haha.

Thanks everyone gor kindness.

Michele
FLClover
Member
5 years ago
Finally @MicheleR some relief 🥳. Very happy they’re healing 😊
Jwrenn
Member
5 years ago
@MicheleR I used Bepanthen antiseptic cream on my burn, it healed really quickly and there was nothing to show by the time I saw the rad oncologist, of course.
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Update. Today i have woken up with skin on my wounds. Its magic. Itchy magic but ill take it.

Ive been using this dressing the last few days and found it very helpful. You can put it over weepy areas and apply cream over the top. Also thin so very conforable to wear in areas like under arms.

Im off for a walk shortly before it warms up. Those combine dressings get hot.

Happy Easter everyone.
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
@arpie yes i have pictures. Ive been documenting everything.