Sunblock for radiation?

jad
jad Member Posts: 3
edited June 2020 in General Cancer
I’m not sure mtpy previous attempt to post this got through.

Anyway.....is true that sunblock helps prevent reddening and burns from radiation? If so, any particular recommendations for sunblock brands and strength?

Comments

  • Bengal
    Bengal Member Posts: 518
    edited June 2020
    I was told to put nothing on my skin prior to a treatment. It could interfere with the radiation doing it's job or potentially make skin damage worse. Not sure where you got this information by I am highly skeptical. Anyone else??????
  • GregP_WN
    GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
    edited June 2020
    I was also told to not do it. I showed up with something on and they techs wiped it off.
  • Bug
    Bug Member Posts: 394
    edited March 2020
    Same here – I was told not to have anything on my skin prior to treatment as it could interfere with the radiation doing its job. *Please* check with your radiation oncologist.
  • 2943
    2943 Member Posts: 94
    edited March 2020
    I could not put on anything within 2 hrs of treatment. The radiologist has specific creams he suggested using and they worked. I learned to clear EVERYTHING with the doctors before using.
  • Kalee
    Kalee Member Posts: 18
    edited March 2020
    My oncologist/radiologist doc said to not put anything on 2 hours before treatment, it could interfere with the radiation, and possibly make the radiation burn worse. Afterwards they told me to use aquaphor for the burn. However, the aquaphor didn't quite do the trick, and SSD cream was prescribed for my burn, which really worked well.
  • beachbum5817
    beachbum5817 Member Posts: 238
    edited March 2020
    I was told exactly what everyone who posted above was told. Maybe, it has changed in the 5 years since I had radiation. If I were you, I would ask the radiologist or the techs before using anything. Please let us know what you are told. Take care.
  • omaalyce
    omaalyce Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2020
    I was told the same thing as everyone else-no creams before radiation. What I did do was go to the health store and buy some Aloe Water and cream and I put the water in a spray bottle and when I got home from my treatments I would first spray the area-front and back with the aloe water then apply the aloe when it dried. I wound up with a small radiation rash which I treated with Solarcaine Cool Aloe Burn Relief Spray with Lidocaine and Aloe Vera. per my radiation nurses advice. It helped with the itching. Fortunately this is the only reaction I had, and I had 25 treatments plus 5 boost treatments.

    On a side note: I accidentally used the aloe water on my hair after it started coming in, thought it was just water (chemo brain, LOL) and it made my hair really manageable.

    Always make sure you take care of the area on your back as well-what goes in comes out and my radiaiton tech told all of us to do front and back. I have mentioned before that if there is no one at home to help then purchase an inexpensive non-slotted plastic spatula and use that to spread your cream on your back-it works well. My radiologist would only allow Aloe Vera, I was fortunate and it did work for me. If you have a plant at home then use the fresh aloe vera. Best of luck!
  • MyLungCancer
    MyLungCancer Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2020
    Me too, nothing on my chest or neck.
  • Bengal
    Bengal Member Posts: 518
    edited March 2020
    Just a warning re: Aloe Vera. Try a tiny test spot first. I have very sensitive skin and get a reaction from many topical applications. I was advised to us Aloe Vera. Youzza!! I couldn't wash it off fast enough. I felt like I was in fire. So, just be cautious.
  • TerriL
    TerriL Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2020
    I was also told to make sure there was nothing on my skin as it could affect the radiation
  • omaalyce
    omaalyce Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2020
    Good advice Bengal-anything and everything you try should be tested first-one never knows what might be sensitive to your skin.
  • ChicagoSandy
    ChicagoSandy Member Posts: 111
    edited March 2020
    Your skin should be clean and ABSOLUTELY BARE when you hop on to the table. (That means showering off ALL the soap and not using any moisturizers, creams or lotions on the skin over the area to be irradiated). You want NOTHING preventing the radiation beams from penetrating your skin into the tumor cavity! The time for emollients (your choice of whatever you find soothing--I used aloe gel, calendula and Aquaphor) is AFTER each session and at bedtime.

    The confusion lies in the word "radiation." Sunblock protects against UVA & UVB radiation. But imaging and treatment radiation are a different type of radiation from light (whether UV or IR). The time to use sunblock is if your irradiated skin is exposed to sun afterward--the last thing you need is further skin damage. (Best to cover up, unless it's a part of your skin--like your face--that can't be covered). Just make sure it's washed off thoroughly before each radiation treatment session.

Categories