I've had radiation therapy, and my solution was Aloe Vera Gel -- you can find it in any drug store. Worked for me!
Janet in Ohio

IF you talk to radiation dept they have the "magic" cream and will give to you or tell you where to get what. As your mind goes to other thoughts later check about shingles.

A dear friend of mine has an ostomy bag and has founr Sween Cream to be helpful to prevent skin breakdown and itching. It must be ordered from your pharmacy (made abroad) and is not cheap, but it might help you. Good luck.

Look for Radx cream on the internet. It works!! I used it last year after my second bout of breast cancer. They ship for free (or they did for me). It has ladocaine in it and breaks the itch cycle. I all but took a bath in it. It was the only thing that let me sleep at night. It wasn't that expensive for the relief I got. Try it.

My doctor had samples that they gave out and I put it on morning and night. WONDERFUL! I also used eucerin calming creme daily moisturizer. Hope it gets better!

Just-Lee, I just finished my radiation 2 weeks ago .... wow 27 treatments and the itching and burning was sooo bad but they gave me 2 different creams at the cancer center .... one was Miaderm and it was creamy and Aquaphor was like vaseline ... but they worked ... my radiation was on my neck and I am very fair skinned.... it pealed like a bad sun burn and the itching was the healing process ..... good luck ....try Benadryl and hydrocordozne cream .... if that dont work pray or get the shot
good luck .....was just informed I will be having more chemo and possiably radiation .... I have non hodgkins lymphoma so I have a difficult road to ride but God holds me up when I am down and this board is so great....... I hope you get better real soon .......hugs

Just-Lee,
I went through the same thing. I did use that cream too-very exspensive too. Don't rub your skin while washing.
don't wear a bra just very loose top. It will get better with time.
Best wishes from one who's been there.

Crazy Quilting robin,
I wish you the best too.
Marie

when my son was a teen he had hives for 6 mos- the DR had to work hard to get the pain/itch under- control. many prescriptions for alergies meds& anti-itch meds. We ALSO used SARNA lotion- previously you had to ask for it, but now its just available w/otherlotions & such. GOOD LUCK!

Any pharmacy should have Rexeme. Also, ask at the radiation place for samples. A good source of info is other people in the waiting room. That's where I learned about the cream and other things.

:( get well soon

I am so sorry you have to do it again! I am kind of worried too, because they never checked my other side, and the cancer didn't show up on the mammogram. Why they wouldn't thoroughly check both once malignant cancer has been found is beyond me! I will see about the Miaderm, but Aquaphor did nothing for me..maybe I need a mixture! lol j/k

I am so sorry to hear about your problem I don't have any advice other than when my Sister went thro' it the Docs said she would have very dry and itchy skin and to stay TOTALLY out of the sun, they gave her an emollient cream for the dryness but what served her best was my "Udderly Smooth" udder cream, she now swears by it, as does all of the family. As it is not greasy you can use loads of it without ruining your clothes or bedding.

http://www.udderly-smooth.com/ As you can see they supply it to hospitals etc; and I cannot recommend it highly enough :thumbup:

I had a very bad case of Cellulitis, the itching was driving me insane, I researched on the internet and found a cream called Terrasil Max...it took the itch away, and gave me relief. I hope with all the recommendations, something will work, to give you some peace of mind.

UK..thank you. I am familiar with the udder creams, but my absolute favorite is called Bova cream...but too costly!

HELA- Thank you for the recommendation. The docs prescribed some sort of steroid cream and I actually think it is drying it up a bit. I would rather have dryer skin vs. the poison ivy type rash any day!

Just an update:

The ointment/ cream that the radiation doc prescribed for me is called Fluticasone .05% cream...generic for Cutivate .05%. It did the job and it's all dried up now!! YAY! I wanted to pass this on for any of my sisters/ brothers who is, or might suffer the same. It dried it up in about a week. I still have a bit of itching, but I think that is due to the dried rash bumps.

Thank you all sooo much for your concern, thoughtfulness, and suggestions. It is always greatly appreciated and this is like a big family :) Hugs to all :)

I am so glad it's cleared up for you. Itching is miserable!

BTW another good lotion/cream for itching, although I don't know if it will help with something as serious as the radiation one but for all sorts of allergic reactions, bites etc; is "after sun", you can get if from chemists etc; it is for putting on after you have had too much sun and it really does cool and soothe. It is like a creamy version of calamine lotion!

Oh my yes, I used that most of my life. Like my sign, the water bearer Aquarius, I was always at the pool, lake, etc. :)