Topic: Skin Cream, Gel, Lotion during Radiation - A List

which one are you going to use? i'm so confused by all of the options!

Pam (not starting rads until 9/10, just obsessing about creams right now)

By the way, I'm a bit dubious about the My Girls Radiation Cream. TCoffey who often posts such positive things about it is actually SELLING the product. Of course, I guess using this Discussion Board for a profit would be fine if there were full disclosure rather than giving the impression that she's just "one of the girls".  Check out her early posts (by clicking on her user name) where she mentions developing, naming and selling the product.

I used Miaderm (free samples) but purchased My Girls,  So far I like it,  Because I am a redhead with very light skin, I am experiencing some small breakdowns.  I am halfway done with rads and got a 4 day break to let my skin rest and heal.  I also just ordered some 100% aloe vera gel, hope it gets here soon. 

Just finished 21 tx of rads and faired quite well.  Used Lubriderm unscented 3 weeks prior to starting rads, as well as Dove body wash for sensitive skin....clinic nurse said to do this to "prep" the skin before rads start.  I am a little red but the itchiness has not been too bad at all.  I have one small area that is a little worse and requires a daily "saline soak" and hydrocortisone cream, but overall my onc, nurse and therapists are very happy with how well my skin held up. 

My onc said that aloe is good until your skin gets dry....then it should be stopped as it will dry the skin out further.  I was told to use either Lubriderm unscented or Glaxal Base to start and if problems arise, they would advise or prescribe other options.  The other key is to not put any cream on prior to each rad tx, as it will help the "burning process" along......same goes for deodorant.  Best wishes to all!!    

Just out of interest, given the quite remarkable ability to aid wound healing (I personally attest to this having had a fantastic success with honey dressings) is there any type of honey "cream" or something that can be used?

 If you haven't seen how fast my grummbling wounds healed, you can't quite appreciate the wonderfullness of the thing.   I would be intersted to know if anyone ever does come across a honey "treatment".  Rads will be my next excursion, but very best wishes for all of you now.

xxxx

If I only knew then what I know now . . . After looking into all the junk in every type of moisture cream, I decided not to use any of them anymore. I strictly use coconut ir grapeseed oil on my skin. I use pure aloe, from my plant, for burns and scrapes. If I was doing rads now, this is all I would use, although I like the honey idea, it is a great healer. My skin feels incredible since I started using these foods. If it is safe enough to eat, it is safe enough for the skin. Keep in mind that the skin is the largest organ in the body. Anything that touches your skin is absorbed throughout. Therefore be careful about using anything chemical on your skin. All those chemicals go right to your cells.

I used Fruit of the Earth Pure Aloe after each treatment. Then after showering and bedtime I used a Calendula cream called "California Baby"- it comes in a 2 oz. jar, and you can find it in the baby section at Target. Toward the end of treatment when my skin got really itchy, I used plain ol' Fragrance Free Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. The oatmeal in it is very soothing and worked even better than some prescription strength hydrocortisone cream that I had! My rad techs said that my skin looked much better than the average person.

Thanks for all the advice on creams and such.  Right now Biafine and Eucerine seem to be working.  Doc also gave me some lidocaine based creme for my nipple area which is sore.  

On a different note, I have to vent.  I was told recently that the use a rads is 'cosmetic' rather than therapeutic.   I guess because I could have just had the old boob lopped off instead and gotten the same result.   Medical logic?  LOL  Really?  Do we call filling cavities cosmetic?  Couldn't we just have a tooth pulled instead?  Why not just get dentures/ breast reconstruction?  So there's a little pain--they call it discomfort--involved.  The cosmetic results are the same.  REALLY?  Wow.  

There is a serious disconnect between the medical community and us human beings out here.   

Hey I would say "any kind of itching"  and trust me , no local stores carry anything of any use in Winter Haven FL.

You should be done about now,  but the only thing I found that REALLY works for itching is hydroxzine.  Its a pill and you can take one or two and WILL NOT itch for at least 8 hours.  Creams are creams are creams.  Nothing is perfect, use what is cheap and safe.

You're right, the list is disgustingly thorough. That's just my nature. Can't tell you if it's too much education, the need to feel in control or - most likely - both. Almost every one seems to have their "favorite", so it's included here. After that, it's the individual's choice. By all means, go with the recommendations of your rad onc.

Sorry, can't help with the deodorants. I use the Crystal which works for me.