Managing Radiation Burns: A Survivor’s Guide to Relief

Just when I thought the hard part was behind me, I was scheduled for five weeks of radiation. Five weeks, 25 sessions, every day. It seemed manageable, but I was wrong. I’d gotten a taste of normalcy after chemo and surgery, and then… this. Radiation was a mental drain. The daily trips, the constant reminder that the fight wasn’t over, it wore me down.

And then, the burns started. My skin began to break, ooze, and char. It was devastating. I felt like all my effort had been for nothing. My new breasts, damaged. My biggest fear was, “Will my skin return back to normal?” I was terrified it wouldn’t. It took a prescription for pain just to get through the days.

But, like with everything else, I found a way. About a month after radiation, my skin started to heal. The pain stopped, the oozing stopped, and my breast started to look more normal. It was a slow process, but it happened.

What to Use for Radiation Burns (Not Medical Advice, Just What Helped Me):

During this horrible bout of radiation is when I created my radiation cream which is calendula based. Determined to heal my skin, I used this religiously to help with the burning, itching and discomfort. The medicinal properties of tamanu oil, calendula, and lavender eased my charred skin and rejuvenated my skin. I also found:

• Button-up shirts: Soft, flowy fabrics were my go-to.
• Aloe vera: Applied liberally throughout the day, especially right after treatment.
• No creams or deodorants before treatment: This helped prevent further irritation.
• Aquaphor: A soothing barrier.
• Silvadene: For broken skin, a thick layer helped.
• Talking to my doctors: They had prescription creams and meds that helped.
• Saline soaks: Soaked paper towels laid over the burns.
• Cold creams: Keeping my creams in the freezer was a lifesaver.
• Desitin: Yes, diaper rash cream! It helped heal my skin.

What Can I Do to Help My Skin Heal?

Beyond creams, physical therapy was crucial. It sounds strange, I know, but it helps with radiation’s drying effects. It keeps your lymph nodes and skin elastic, preventing tightness and arm stiffness. I still go weekly.

My Takeaway:

Radiation is a battle, but it’s a battle you can fight. Find what soothes your skin, talk to your doctors, and don’t underestimate the power of physical therapy. And remember, even when it feels like your skin will never heal, it can.

Click here to purchase radiation cream!