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

Hi Lacomtekp,

thank you so much for all the really useful advice. I have learned a lot from your reply and as a result I feel a lot more informed and less worried. It is difficult when you have meeting with the nurses as they don’t always tell you everything and you only think of the questions afterwards. Thanks once again. Take care.

Where I went, they ran through everything inc questions just before the actual appt.  I had pinkness on 3rd day which they said was normal. So if you have any little problem they will ask you how you are just before the start of the actual treatment and also tell you if you are doing something wrong. I did not want to get as far as having to have dressings, so kept that just about at bay. I was given tel numbers to ring if things went wrong afterwards, but obviously it is better if you can keep things under control at home. They can give you special creams for burns if you are really bad. I had a chat with Breast Cancer Nurses beforehand. It is not unusual for some to have problems, no matter how much care they take - just one of those reactions. Radiotherapy is powerful.

Hi Maxwell3

I had 5 sessions of intense radiotherapy instead of the expected 15 sessions in July 2020. I was concerned about burning as I am really pale. One of my nurses recommended Aveeno and to use it 2 or 3 times a day. Due to my treatment being delayed because of COVID I was able to this for about 4/5 weeks before i started radiotherapy. I was lucky and sailed through it without burning. Hopefully you will too. 

Hi Guinevere-s,

Thanks for the advice. Hope all goes well on the 9th Dec. Mine is starting on the 6th for five days.  I”ll let you know how i get on. Take care.

Hi, I just purchased Aveeno yesterday so going to try it  and see how i get on. My treatment starts on the 6th Dec do have a bit of time to make sure it works ok. Glad you had no problems makes me feel somewhat reassured. Take care

I was told to use bio oil on scar plus E45 on rest of breast so in good condition ready for radiotherapy.  Then during radiotherapy keep aloe Vera gel (Holland and Barrett) in fridge and apply after radiotherapy session to cool skin then put E45 on top.  But if you have very sensitive skin I would patch test E45.  My husband had extremely sensitive skin and when in hospital the nurses shaved him one day and applied E45 cream after to soothe skin.  He sent me photo 30 minutes later and his face was twice the normal size and bright red.  

You will have a planning session before your radiotherapy starts and they will tell you what creams that unit recommends.   Think now about what bra you will wear during radiotherapy.  You want looseish, soft inside but with enough support of your breasts need holding up.  I went up a back size and bought 2 post surgery bras even though I didn't have mastectomy as they were slightly padded and soft cotton lined.  I'm a G cup so the stretchy step into bras were no good but I know many ladies found them best. If you have large breasts it's virtually impossible to avoid skin on skin burns under the breast .  My unit warned me and gave me special dressings to put there to keep skin from touching.  They irritated my skin though so I used panty liners .  Absorbed the moisture and I had cream off my breast care nurse to treat any infection. 

Hi Pretty Flowers,

I have started using the Aveeno cream and so far so good. I have also boight the pink Sanex shower gel. Hopefully I will be ok like you. Thanks for the advice. Take care

Hi Grogg,

Thank you for the useful info. I hadn’t thought about a bra. I think i will buy some cotton rich ones which will hopefully be more breathable and stop the heat being trapped. Great point about getting next size up i am usually a 36 but 38 would make sense. I bought some bra extensions from Amazon which were really cheap and gave me another inch or so. Hope all goes well. Take care.

Hi Maxwell 3

I had 5 days of radiotherapy beginning of October. It went well with tiredness being a significant side effect. The burning started a week afterwards and was very harsh on my sensitive, psoriatic skin. 

I am prescribed Dayleve double base cream and Dermol 200 shower stuff for my skin. The latter was good for gentle washing but I couldn't and still don't use the Dayleve on my breast. It was a horrid few weeks where I could hardly stand anything touching the top of my breast. The prickling and heat from the radiation is difficult to describe. 

I finally found some relief from After Sun - honestly I'd tried everything and had to dash to the sink to wash it off every time. 

I'm still using bralettes that I bought from Amazon but I must say, things are finally calming down, though I still have a rash.

Forewarned is forearmed - we're all different. I hope your experience is good and wish you all the best x

Try MooGoo really good and can be prescribed n NHS natural and so soothing!