Has anyone else had a bad skin reaction to radiotherapy?

My skin reacted after the radiotherapy- red, itchy, burnt, weeping and peeling. It took a good 3 to 4 weeks after finishing for the ‘burnt’ areas to dry up. I ended up getting some cream from my GP to help. I’ve been left with a ‘tanned’ area from where the gel pad was used and broken capillaries- I’m told this can be a side effect and is permanent. Saw the BCN 3 months after treatment had ended and she was happy with how things had healed. 

Hi Toothtinks

Thanks for taking the time to reply, good to know I am not alone in having these symptoms (although sorry you also had to go through them). I wasn't prepared for the reaction to be this severe, from what I had read in advance of the treatment. Im wondering if its more likely to happen after a mastectomy and also when they use the gel pad as they said that brought the radiation closer to skin level. I am fair skinned and am usually very careful in the sun, and finding the skin reaction quite distressing. Thanks and sending my best wishes to you. 

Hi,

I had a bad reaction to RT, towards the end of RT there was a large itchy area that was very red like a rash under the skin, I was given Hydrocortisone cream, about a week to 10 days after RT had finished the skin broke down, I contacted my BC Nurse who didn't act upon it, it got worse so I telephoned Consultants Secretary and he told me to attend an appointment with him by which time it was infected, he supplied Flamazine cream and it was then dressed every 2 days by GP Surgery with Flamazine cream and N-A Ultra dressings.  It took about 3 weeks of GP Nurses dressing it before it started to heal, now its absolutely fine. The Flamazine was so soothing.  My RT involved using a Bolus which brings the treatment to the surface, I don't know whether that's why I had the problem. 

I do hope the skin doesn't break down but if it does mention the Flamazine cause its good.

Best Wishes. 

Hi peterawake

Thanks very much for your reply, sorry you also had this problem. Your symptoms sound just like mine (large red itchy area). My RT also involved the bolus and I reckon your theory is correct because the area where the bolus wasn't used (supraclavicular) is absolutely fine. Everywhere else looks and feels awful. Thanks for the Flamazine tip. I really hope it doesn't get infected but I need to watch out for that and in that case I will mention Flamazine. My RT dept told me to get hydrogel and dressings from the GP so they have been ordered but are delayed, just hoping the skin doesn't break down in the meantime. 

Sending my best wishes to you. 

Yep, I had a very bad reaction to radiotherapy which I had in Dec/Jan finishing on 3rd. Also had the bolus  and have now got a square area the size of the mat which is very tanned but fading slowly.  On the last few days of my treatment the radiographers were showing concern about an area just under my armpit which they said was breaking down.  They put a PolyMem dressing just on the broken down area about a fifth of the total area which seemed to help and when I finished they did give me some dressing but nowhere near enough and I struggled as the whole area covered by the bolus began to break down.  I did however managed to get extra dressings from my GP surgery and it peaked about two weeks after finishing the radiotherapy.  The nurse at the GPs was in awe, took pictures of it for reference and kept saying she'd never seen anything like it.  I would say that my skin is particularly sensitive and I react to plasters and the little stickers that the cardiographer uses to put the sensors, leaving me with red squares for days after.

I also used the R1 and R2 gels as prescribed.

If you can make it without the skin breaking that would be great and I would recommend the PolyMem dressings if it does break down.

Take care and fingers crossed for you.

XOXO

Hi

Thanks very much for your reply. It certainly sounds like you had a really bad reaction! The purpose of the bolus was not explained to me before starting treatment, I didn't realise that not everyone will have it. There must be a reason why they use it for certain people. Like you, I have sensitive skin and react to plasters and surgical tape so I guess I should not be surprised at how my skin is raging after the radiotherapy. I'm almost two weeks past the end of radio. Its getting worse on a daily basis. The underarm area is now as bad as the chest - at least I am partly numb in that area due to surgery! I will google the PolyMem dressings and keep moisturising like crazy to see if there is any way of avoiding it all breaking down. Take care and thank you. x

PictureThis2 I was told that the bolus was used to make sure that the whole chest wall gets an even dose and I think it is only used for those of us who have had a mastectomy. 

Hopefully you've past the worst now but if your skin does break down try to keep it covered.  I foolishly decided one day, because it was so weepy, to leave it open to the air to try to dry it which it did.  The downside of that was that the skin then cracked and got really tight and was very sore which was not good.

When it started to get better it was very quick to heal so hopefully you'll be the same.

Take care

XOXO

thanks very much for letting me know to keep it covered as I would have done exactly the same as you! 
ah so that’s the reason they use the bolus, it makes sense. I’ll let you know how I get on . Thank u x 

Hi PT2

Just read this thread and bugg4r....you're also on R1/R2 and I'll be using the (new word to me) bolus (sounds very odd when its a bit of wax or whatever) tomorrow.  However as everyone responds differently to these blummin' cancer treatments I'll still wait & see how my chest turns out...I'll let you know.

Sam X

Hello Y-def (catchy name?!) Panic not. As you say, we all react differently and I think I am just in the unlucky minority. I would say just keep moisturising, drink lots of water and take it easy during and for a couple of weeks after the treatment. For me the effects really kicked in after radio had finished. I’ve now got lots of tips on how to deal with a bad reaction (thanks to the ladies on this site and to my RT dept who I spoke to today) so give me a shout if your skin starts to seriously complain at any point and I will pass on any pearls of wisdom. 

Yep, “bolus” is a new one on me too, I prefer “gel pad”. The RT dept told me today that it essentially replaces tissue for those of us who have had a mastectomy and ensures a high and even dose of radiation to the skin (presumably instead of to our internal organs?!) the area of my skin where they didn't use the bolus sorry, gel pad,  (collar bone/neck) is fine although the radiation to the collarbone area goes straight through to the top of your back (eh??) which also has to be moisturised, covered from sun etc.

Best of luck with it. x