Moisturiser pre treatment

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Hi , 

My Chemoradiation treatment is due to start Dec 2nd and I’d like to give my skin its best chance .

Can I ask advice on which creams I could moisturise my skin with prior ? 
Also would vaginal oestrogen cream or something like Vagifem cream be helpful . 

During treatment is it OK to use a few drops of lavender or Chamomile Aromatherapy oils in warm water to bathe the sore skin areas, as I believe these can have an anti inflammatory effect . 

Im trying to get prepared . 

Many thanks for any advice .

  • Hi Goldie65

    I was told by the radiotherapy team that I could use E45, aveeno or aloe vera gel 99.9%. I used E45 and then during treatment I was given flamigel, flaminal hydro, flaminal forte and instillagel. My advice would be to check with your medical team about anything you do or use however harmless you may think it is as ingredients can interact or dry your skin out. From what I've read on here different hospitals seem to offer different advice but best to go with what your hospital say. I started soaking in the bath with epsom salts and happened to mention it to my medical team and was told to stop but some hospitals don't have a problem with it. I would say stock up on water wipes as regular toilet roll is a bit rough once you get into treatment. Also if you are having your chemo via a picc line get yourself a limbo sleeve for showering. Hope all goes well for you. Sending hugs. Xx

  • Hello Goldie65

    Bungle has given good advice - to run everything past your treating team during treatment, but it is an excellent idea to moisturise prior to treatment.  I used QV cream but not until after treatment, I didn't know about moisturising first and other forum users found that doing that had helped their skin.

    Only two weeks to go - please check in and let us know how you are getting on.

    Irene xx

  • Hi  , I’m another advocate for moisturising pre-treatment! Get your skin in as good condition as possible prior to starting, a simple aqueous cream or E45 will do the trick. Regarding the oestrogen cream & essential oils as Bungle & Irene have already mentioned run it past your treating team. Wishing you the very best of luck for the 2nd it’ll be here before you know it. 

    Nicola 

  • Hi Bungle , 

    Thanks for the advice  to check before I use anything , I don’t want to make it any worse than it might be ! 
    I’m not having a pic line just 1 IV infusion then tablets . 

    I had asked about using Anusol  wipes and was advised against them . 

    Wishing you the best 

  • Thank you Irene , 

    I’ve just had a call to say I’m to have a Colonoscopy now on the 30 th . I hope they don’t think I’ve more cancer . 
    I’ve had PET scan , MRI and a Sigmoidoscopy and a Gastroscopy already . 
     Just as I’m getting my head around treatment . 
    Is it standard to have a Colonoscopy or should I be worried ? 

    Best wishes 

  • Thanks Nikki , 

    I’ll start moisturising . As I’m post menopausal I wondered about oestrogen cream . I’ll check everything out with team . 
    Just heard I  have to have a Colonoscopy on the 30 th , so that’s heightened my anxiety again ! 

    Best wishes