what soap to use when getting radiation treatment

Mild soaps like Dove®, Ivory®, or Neutrogena® are considered safe to use, but most experts agree that highly scented soaps such as Coast® and Irish Spring® should be avoided when undergoing radiation treatment. You can safely wear deodorant or antiperspirant during treatment unless the skin of your armpit develops a cut, scratch or blister.

Full Answer

What cream/lotion can I use during radiation treatment?

Chemotherapy and Radiation We have been told that chemotherapy and radiation can wreak havoc on your skin. We have received lots of positive reviews from people on the Organic Castile goat milk soap for their skin during their treatments. We recommend it and the Unscented orange label lotion during your treatments.

How to take care of your skin during radiation therapy?

Daily Routine Keep skin in treated area dry. Gently wash skin daily with warm water and a mild soap (like Dove) and pat dry. Do not use any lotions, creams, perfumes, powders, cosmetics, tape or deodorants on the skin where your radiation is given. Do not rub or massage the treated area. Wear loose, cotton fiber clothing to reduce irritation.

What medications are used to treat radiation sickness?

 · Silicone derivatives like dimethicone or cyclomethicone are recommended. Humectant (e.g. glycerol, lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid) to attract and hold water. At different stages of the radiation process, skin needs different levels of moisture, according to breastcancer.org.

What should I wear during radiation therapy?

 · Avoid bathing in water that’s too hot or too cold. Stick with lukewarm water. Protect your skin from the sun. Think how painful a sunburn might be on irradiated skin. Cover up. Wear a hat. Stay in the shade. Don’t scrub your skin. This is …

What do you use on your skin for radiation?

Gently wash skin daily with warm water and a mild soap (like Dove) and pat dry. Do not use any lotions, creams, perfumes, powders, cosmetics, tape or deodorants on the skin where your radiation is given. Do not rub or massage the treated area. Wear loose, cotton fiber clothing to reduce irritation.

How can I protect my breast skin during radiation?

American Cancer Society recommends being extra kind to your skin during and after radiation treatment: Don't rub, scratch or scrub your skin. If the area needs to be covered, use paper tape. Try to put the tape outside the treatment area and in a different spot each time.

What is the best cream to use for radiation burns?

You will receive Aquaphor, a petroleum-based cream. Begin using Aquaphor as soon as your told by the radiation oncology nurse. Use Aquaphor only if you are instructed to do so by your doctor or nurse. Put a small amount of the Aquaphor in the palm of your hand.

What should I bring to radiation therapy?

Wear loose, soft, cotton clothing over the area being treated. Avoid stiff or starched clothing near the area being treated. Do not put anything but mild soap (such as Dove) and lukewarm water on the skin in the treated area, unless the doctor or nurse says that it is safe to do so. Wash the area gently with your hand.

How long will my breast hurt after radiation?

The soreness usually goes away within 2 to 4 weeks of ending the treatment. Towards the end of the radiotherapy, the skin might break down. especially under the breast. Your nurse will use special dressings to cover and protect the area.

What can you not do during radiation treatment?

Spicy Foods – Radiation often causes nausea, loose stools, or constipation. Spicy foods can further irritate the stomach and the rectum and cause discomfort. Raw Fish/Shellfish – Radiation therapy kills healthy cells in addition to cancerous cells, which could reduce the strength of your immune system.

Is Aveeno lotion good for radiation burns?

This medication is used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations (such as diaper rash, skin burns from radiation therapy).

Can you drink coffee during radiation treatment?

The average radiation therapy patient needs 8 to 12 cups of water per day. If you are going to consume caffeinated drinks like tea or coffee, we recommend having no more than 1 to 2 glasses a day as it may make dry mouth worse. This is a common side effect during treatment.

What do you put on a burn from radiotherapy?

Treatment for radiation burns often includes prescription steroid ointments and other medications prescribed by a doctor. These may include radiation burn creams and/or radiation burn lotions applied regularly over a prescribed timeframe.

What time of day is best for radiation therapy?

New research from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, to be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2019 in Atlanta, reports that administering radiation treatments in the morning as opposed to later in the day can significantly reduce severity of mucositis and its related ...

What deodorant can I use during radiotherapy?

After the creams are applied, I recommend dusting the skin with cornstarch to help absorb sweat, cut down on friction, take away odor, and soothe the skin. If this isn't enough of a deodorant, I tell my patients it's OK to try a gentle antiperspirant with limited ingredients like Tom's of Maine.”

What are the do's and don'ts after radiotherapy?

When you wash, use only lukewarm water and mild soap. Don't wear tight clothing over the treatment area. It's important not to rub, scrub or scratch any sensitive spots. Also avoid putting anything that is very hot or very cold—such as heating pads or ice packs—on your treated skin.

How do you treat breast radiation burns?

Use soothing creams or salves: For mild irritation, itching and burning, you can apply an aloe vera preparation. Or try an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. Spread the cream thinly over the affected area 3 times per day but not 1 hour prior to treatment.

Does silicone reduce radiation?

Severe skin reactions during radiation therapy could be prevented by applying a thin transparent silicone dressing to the skin from the first day of treatment, according to clinical research from New Zealand.

Is CeraVe good for radiation?

Support the barrier function of your skin by protecting it after each radiation treatment. Moisturizing creams containing either ceramide (CeraVe®, Curel®) or calendula can help you avoid radiation dermatitis.

How can I take care of my breast?

7 Tips for lifelong breast healthMaintain a healthy body weight. Maintain a BMI less than 23 throughout your life. ... Make time for regular exercise. Adopt an active lifestyle. ... Minimise or avoid alcohol. ... Eat more veggies. ... Target motherhood. ... Prevention is your best protection. ... Quit smoking (if you haven't)

How to treat post radiation skin?

Post-radiation skin irritation tends to peak about a week after treatment, so treat your skin gently by avoiding rubbing or scratching the area being radiated. Applying a moisturizing cream to the radiated area faithfully and drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin from painful blistering.

How does radiation affect skin?

Nearly 8 out of 10 people with cancer who are treated with radiation will get skin irritation from it, called “radiation dermatitis” by doctors. It starts out with redness and warmth like a mild rash, then becomes increasingly sensitive to touch and may even feel “tight”. As radiation damage progresses your skin feels “dry”, starts to itch and can eventually peel, exposing tender red skin which oozes clear fluid.

Can you wear deodorant on your armpit?

You can safely wear deodorant or antiperspirant during treatment unless the skin of your armpit develops a cut, scratch or blister.

Is Dove soap safe?

Unfortunately, there isn’t much agreement about which soaps are best and no clear evidence that any specific soap is superior. Mild soaps like Dove®, Ivory®, or Neutrogena® are considered safe to use, but most experts agree that highly scented soaps such as Coast® and Irish Spring® should be avoided when undergoing radiation treatment.

Is it safe to use soap for radiation?

It’s okay to use soap ; in fact, washing your skin gently with mild soap and water has been shown to cause less skin reaction compared to just rinsing with water. Most patients who start radiation treatment are advised to use a “mild, non-alkaline soap, preferably unscented”.

Can radiation cause skin reactions?

You’re more likely to have a serious skin reaction from radiation treatment if you have another skin surface rubbing up against the skin that is being radiated, if you’ve had surgery in that spot before, or if you smoke or have diabetes.

Can you use Aloe Vera juice on your skin?

You can also apply pure Aloe Vera juice directly to your skin. My stepmother, Joyce, applied undiluted Trader Joe’s Aloe Vera Juice to her skin after each radiation treatment, with excellent results.

How to treat skin after radiation?

Keep skin in treated area dry. Gently wash skin daily with warm water and a mild soap (like Dove) and pat dry. Do not use any lotions, creams, perfumes, powders, cosmetics, tape or deodorants on the skin where your radiation is given. Do not rub or massage the treated area.

How to treat radiation on the neck?

Avoid extreme hot and cold temperatures to the skin, for example: heating pads, hot water bottles, ice, etc. You may use an electric razor for shaving hair in the treated area. Men should not use after-shave if receiving radiation to head and neck area.

What are the side effects of radiation?

Skin Care during Radiation Therapy. One of the most common side effects from radiation therapy is reddened or irritated skin. It is important for you to be gentle with your skin during radiation therapy. The following tips will help decrease skin irritation and breakdown.

Can you use sunscreen on treated skin?

Sunscreen must be used on treated skin for the rest of your life. Skin that has received any radiation will be more sensitive and burn easily. Please DO NOT wash off purple treatment marks or remove adhesive dots or covering (like Tegaderm). These are needed for correct positioning on the treatment machine.

How to protect your skin from radiation?

Protect your skin from the sun. Think how painful a sunburn might be on irradiated skin. Cover up. Wear a hat. Stay in the shade. Don’t scrub your skin. This is not the time for loofahs and exfoliants. And if you’re getting head radiation, I’d imagine the last thing you’d want is a facial.

Can you use soap on radiation?

Don’t use them on the affected area. And while lukewarm bathing is good, keep soap away from the affected area unless you want your skin to feel like sandpaper. If your reaction to radiation is more serious, don’t hesitate to tell your doctor. Blog Topics: Treatment. About the Author.

Can you wear makeup on a skin treatment?

Don’t wear makeup, perfume, or deodorants on the areas being treated. Most of these are common sense, of course. But here are some things that don’t always get across: If you don’t like the skin products that your doctor recommends, ask to try something different.

How to protect skin from radiation?

During radiation therapy: Be gentle and protect your skin. You want to start doing the following on the day you begin radiation therapy and continue until you’ve stopped radiation and your skin feels normal. Bathing and shaving: Skin can become very sensitive during radiation therapy.

How to avoid skin irritation from radiation?

To avoid irritating your skin, skip the washclothes, sponges, and loofahs. Instead, use your hands to gently splash water on the treated skin.

How to heal a wound after cancer treatment?

Apply moisturizer every day as directed. This helps your skin recover more quickly from treatment, but don’t apply moisturizer to a wound. Be sure to use only the moisturizer that your cancer team recommends, and apply it as directed.

Does radiation cause rash?

Rash caused by radiation therapy. The right skin care may lessen the side effects that develop on your skin. Protect the treated area from the sun. Anyone who has had radiation treatments has a higher risk of developing skin cancer in that area.

How long after radiation treatment do you have side effects?

Some side effects occur weeks, months, or years after your last radiation treatment. This can happen even if you had no side effects during treatment. To catch these side effects early, dermatologists recommend the following: Watch your treated skin for signs of change.

What to wear when you have radiation?

Wear loose-fitting clothes. You can develop side effects if clothing rubs against skin that been treated with radiation. Wearing loose-fitting clothing helps to prevent these side effects.

Can radiation cause redness?

Some people develop redness, sores, or scabs during radiation therapy. If you need to care for a wound, be sure to follow the directions you’re given. Doing so can help your skin recover more quickly and avoid a serious reaction. Skip the antiperspirant and talcum powder.

What is the best medicine for radiation sickness?

There is one prescription medicine used to treat radiation sickness called Prussian blue. Otherwise, all other prescribed medications are used to treat just the symptoms associated with radiation sickness, such as bone pain and vomiting.

What is the treatment for radioactive plutonium?

One treatment option is diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DPTA). DPTA is given into the veins to bind radioactive plutonium, americium, and curium. 5 It does not prevent the radioactive substances from entering the body, but it does help eliminate them.

Does radiation cause bleeding?

Radiation sickness leads to a problem in the bone marrow in which people cannot make new platelets (the cell fragments that help a person clot). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Nplate in January 2021 as an agent that increases platelet counts, helping to reduce radiation-induced bleeding. 8

What happens after radiation?

After a significant radiation event, a person will require further evaluation at a hospital or with a healthcare provider to determine the extent of their injuries.

What is the most important immediate action to take after a radiation event?

The most important immediate action to take after a radiation event is to leave the environment to reduce further exposure. Decontamination requires removing any contaminants from your body and environment.

Can radiation sickness be diagnosed?

Diagnosing radiation sickness can be challenging depending on the time between the event and the time a person seeks treatment.

What part of the body is affected by radiation?

Radiation sickness primarily affects the skin, the stomach and intestines, and the bone marrow . Bone marrow is the spongy inner part of the bone responsible for producing red blood cells, infection-fighting white blood cells, and platelets that help a person clot.