Radiated Skin, Wound Not Healing

lisaelle

Hello Ladies,

I wonder if anyone can help? I have 2 wounds the size of a quarter that will not heal. It has been over a month now. I had some reconstruction to fix bad job from 15 years ago. The radiated skin would not allow the implant to work. So the implant was removed and left me with open wounds. What can be done about this? What if it does not heal? Thank You, Lisa

divinemrsm

lisa, I’ve sometimes used Hydrocolloid Bandages for cuts that won’t heal. You might try them. They cost a bit more but may be worth it. They stay on longer than regular bandaids. Also, consider calling your radiologist or oncologist’s office and tell them of the problem and see what they recommend.

Here’s a link to the type bandaid I mentioned.

https://www.amazon.com/All-Health-Advanced-Healing-Bandages/dp/B07D3VH658/ref%3Dsr_1_7?crid=35CT0T1EUMQYL&keywords=Hydrocolloid+Bandages&qid=1703904317&sprefix=hydrocolloid+bandages+%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-7

maggie15

Hi @lisaelle, If your current doctors cannot help there are specialist wound surgeons who treat hard to heal wounds. I unfortunately ended up with deep second degree thermal burns on skin with (and without) radiation burns. The wound surgeon used debridement and special film/bandage medications. It took a while but my skin eventually healed with almost no permanent scarring. There are other available options including wound VACs, skin grafts, leeches and hyperbaric oxygen so it is very likely that something will work. These doctors can be found in burn units or diabetic wound clinics.

lisaelle

Maggie15 I’m entirely grateful for this information you provided. I’ll let you know how it goes. I’ve been suffering. 🙏🙏🙏

moderators

Hi @lisaelle, and welcome to BC.org! It's great that you found us and that you already got replies from others in our amazing community. We came across this article on our main site that might provide some insights into your situation: How Does Radiation Affect Breast Reconstruction?
We hope it helps! Please, come back to let us know how you're doing. We're thinking of you!

The Mods

specialk

lisaelle - I too had severe necrosis issues and poor wound healing - at various points lost expanders and implants - until I had several fat grafting sessions to the affected area. I had three done at intervals and they helped provide vascularity and health to my thin skin. These were easy procedures, quick recovery, very little fat needed. Here are links to a couple of articles about this:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6416118/

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/fat-grafting-shows-promise-for-cancer-patients-with-radiation-induced-skin-injury

I also used Silvadene cream between the grafts, and I had enough healing from this process that I have a successful reconstruction now.