Radiotherapy starting in three weeks and was wondering what moisturiser works best for sensitive skin.

Hi Maxwell3, I had radiotherapy in May this year after finishing chemo in April. I was given leaflets from my hospital and chose to use baby shampoo, Sanex Zero (the pink one) and E45 for moisturising. All of these products didn't contain the chemical I was told to avoid. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the chemical. I was fortunate that I didn't suffer with much skin soreness and I put that down to the products I used throughout and after my treatment. Good luck.

Hi AlwaysCrocheting, thank you for your message. I will give the E45 a go. I am rather nervous about the radiotherapy as i am having it over 5 days instead of 15. Take care

I used Aveeno as a moisturiser. I am finding however that my skin, and like you I have sensitive skin, especially the nipple, does need moisturising more than just the 2 weeks afterwards. I had a flare up this weekend, after radiotherapy finished early October. So keeeeeeep moisturising. I gently washed breast with aqueous cream each day of the radiotherapy. I must add though that my nipple was taken off and sewn back on again, so maybe that's why it didn't like the radiotherapy at all. I was told by radiotherapists to treat it like the rest of the breast skin, but it has been very sore and unhappy this weekend. Had great advice from one of the ladies on this site who used to be a Radiotherapist.

I finished radiotherapy a month ago and I am still using E45 twice a day and it's working really well.  

I know a lot of people use E45 cream with some success but it isn't universally recommended because it contains lanolin. Also if you compare it to some other creams.....it's very thin. My unit prescribes hyaluronic acid cream. It traps moisture into skin which is why it is now used so frequently in face creams. Obviously, you need it to be 100% hyaluronic,  not a combination. At my unit the only person who burned was a lady who misunderstood the comparison with ' light sunburn' and put the cream on before her radiotherapy.  For the actual treatment you must have very clean, cream free skin. I used to put the first coat of cream on in the cubicle afterwards then more at home during the day. I would shower in the hour before I left for the hospital using Savon surgras which was advised as it's perfume free but moisturises. It also will remove any grease residues on the skin. I had 33 sessions and I didn't burn ( even afterwards although I continued the cream for several weeks as advised.) I had blond hair and very pale skin but the worse it got was slightly pink so I applied a bit extra cream and it faded quickly. Before my radiotherapy started I had a session with a nurse who explained everything that would happen and gave me printed instructions for the creaming regime. I have come to realise I was lucky to have this extra appointment. 

I hope it goes well for you. Whichever cream and advice you decide to follow, the clean, grease free breast is very important.

Take care. Love Karen

My oncologist said aveeno or E45 (though I see the comment about E45 so you may want to consider that).

My radiologist said creams make no difference to whether you will have a skin reaction to radiotherapy, but they do keep the area moisturised which helps stop everything drying out and you becoming itchy, which would not be good when your skin is so damaged and that can then cause issues if you haven't had an actual skin reaction.

My radiologist also said it was up to me whether I used any cream, that they don't tell people they should. So if you find cream doesn't work, then it isn't necessary and if you get a skin reaction, they will give you something strong for it anyway - which you will hopefully be OK with.

I had dermol500 and diprobase in the house but they said no to those.

I also had to stop using bio oil on my scar for about 6 weeks.

Great idea to start a few weeks early to make sure you know whether the cream is causing any issues.

Good luck with the rads.

Hi, I had the 15 days of radiotherapy with the breath hold technique. I found everyone at the hospital really kind and caring. You should tell them you are nervous and ask them to explain why you are only having the five days instead of 15. I didn't feel any different after each session - it didn't hurt at all. Good Luck and take care x

Thank you for your help. It is difficult to know what to do for the best but it definitely helps to hear  from people like yourself. I thought I was meant to apply the cream before the radiotherapy but thanks to all the helpful comments I now know that the opposite should be done. Sorry to hear you are having problems. I hope you feel better soon. Take care

Hi, I have been told that there is little different between the two, in terms of side effects and effectiveness. I feel much better having read your message and will do as you have suggested about having a chat with the radiotherapy team.  Thank you for your advice. Take care. 

Thanks for your reply. I think I will try using both and see which one I prefer. I have three weeks to try them out before the radiotherapy starts.  Wishing well. Take care.