Breast and nipple after radiotherapy

That's reassuring as woke up this morning and nipple definitely crusty!! So sore though, even with the dressing on - prefer to be in my dressing gown with it all hanging out - could get arrested though!!

Lol me too, my underarm is so sore today shooting pains and feels hot inside but it's not hot really 

My nipple was sensitive & a bit pealy for a few days a week after finishing 19 rounds but it's much better now.  Comfy sports bra so it's not moving around in your bra through the day, stay hydrated so your skin repairs itself quicker and don't over wash.  You don't want to strip the oils out of your skin.  Hope it settles down for you soon. X

Hi. I'm bringing this back up as the problem of crusty nipples does seem to last a long time. 

I wondered if anyone else has suffered with this. It's now 6 months since radiotherapy ended. 

Hi Glade (sorry can’t tag you for some reason), yes I had a sore and crusty nipple for months. A huge scab (sorry if tmi!) fell off when I was moisturising 3-4 months after rads finished but it carried on being ‘crusty’ for some time after that. I also had what I can only describe as scales on the skin around the nipple. They shed themselves gradually over many months, I can’t remember when the last one fell off. On a visit to the breast clinic when I was being referred re possible lympheodema (again post rads), the nurse called in the lovely doctor who saw me at the very start of it all. She looked at it and simply said ‘Yes it didn’t really like the radiotherapy much, did it’! She said you just can’t predict who will have reactions to rads, some people get away with none and others get the whole package. I still have a partially inverted nipple, and it’s a different colour to the other. After the black scab came off it became almost colourless and is gradually regaining its normal colour 2 years on. All very strange! 
Goes without saying that if you have concerns, do phone the breast clinic as they’re still there for you. Wishing you well, HFxx

I'm not happy that you have suffered with this but am relieved to hear that it's not just me. Thank you so much for your clear and informative reply. @Happyfeet1

I finished radiotherapy (5weeks) over the Easter holidays last year and eneed up fashioning make shift bras out of microfibre towels and Muslin baby cloths with knots and safety pins as bras definitely weren’t happening as the skin broke down horrendously. That part does get better. I still have a darker boob and underneath is still tender (Gg-H). I also get shooting pains and it feels very different. Much harder and lumper with the scar tissue and the node scar under my arm is still tight. I used aloe Vera gel straight out of the shower and kept a bottle of aveeno (oat based) in the fridge to put on to soothe. I still use the aveeno most days as I feel a bit tight and uncomfortable. Hoping some of that settles eventually.