Calamine Lotion for Radiation Burns? Advice please?

hi

I was told that anything other than aqueous has traces of metal in it and will make the burns worse as you continue with rads. I slapped tons of aqueous on, wore a baggy tshirt and nothing else until it eased. I daren't use any other because of the risk of burns and the amount of aqueous I put on was soothing. Personally I would stick to whats being prescribed.

angie xx

Hello,

I've just spotted your posting.  Bless you you must be in so much discomfort.  

If I was you (which I aren't of course but if I was in your predicament) I would definately not wear a bra for the time being even if I go out to shops etc.  If you put on a really loose baggy shirt or dress it won't matter.

I would stay as comfortable as I can and blow what other people think - I never worry anyway nowadays because I'm just happy to be around.

(if they were put in your position any thoughts of criticising they might have now would be blown right out of the window and they would plead on their knees for forgiveness for thinking them)

Keep in close contact with your Radiotherapy Nurse Specialist or Breast Care Nurse - phone them and keep at them so they understand loud and clear you are struggling and follow their guidance.

If you are still going for Rads sessions - tell them when you go that you are struggling and what is happening with your skin etc.  That way they can check you and deal with it there and then.

Every 2 or 3 sessions you go tell them you have run out of Aqueous Cream - keep using it all the time.

When you are alone in the house - strip off to let air to your rads area - ok keep curtains closed and lock the doors but let a bit of air to things (apart from anything else it will cool you down perhaps).

After all when we were born we didn't have clothes on did we?

Also treat yourself to a bit of pampering (nice shower, trip to hairdressers, have nails done) - it will cheer you up.

Remember - if you don't tell the medical staff who are treating and caring for you what is happening and especially how you feel - they don't know and they can't help you.  They aren't mind readers even though they will have cared for loads of people with the same or similar problems so you must make sure you tell them all.

Take care and big cyberhugs to everybody xxx

Hi Carole Sorry to hear you're suffering with burns. I also developed really bad burns during and after radiotherapy, a large area of my skin was raw and blistered. My GP prescribed flamazine cream which was brilliant, it worked within days. I just used aqueous cream for the rest of my breast which was sore but no broken skin. I found the aqueous cream to be very soothing as I also had terrible itching. I would think calamine lotion would dry the skin and you need to keep it mosterised. If you're in doubt why don't you talk to your radiotherapy nurse or BC nurse who will be able to advise you. I finished radiotherapy on 19th May and although still red where it was badly burned it doesn't hurt anymore so it does get better eventually. Take care  x

Hi Carole

It's pants isn't it? I wouldn't use calamine, as Libby said, I would also think it would be too drying.

But give the flamazine a chance, it's fab stuff. It helped almost immediately with me and was really clearing up and healing within a few days. I also used pure aloe vera gel from Holland & Barrett, kept it in the fridge and it was SO cooling and was also prescribed some strong anti-histamines to help with the itching.

Lu xx

Hey Carole, 

The other gals who responded were correct regarding Calamine lotion - on a couple of points-  1.  It has zinc oxide in it.  As you know, a no-no during radiation therapy.  The zinc, as a metal, would increase your burn.  It is also drying.  That said, once you've completed your radiation treatments, if you have oozing, you could use the Calamine lotion.  Zinc oxide is soothing (thanks, Mom- )& nourishing to your skin.  Also after you complete your radiation, you can use Calazime Cream (available on Walmart website), or diaper rash cream-- both have zinc oxide and will form a barrier over any sores to help protect from a skin infection.  If you decide to use the cream, don't scrub it off down to your bare skin when you are washing.  Ouch.  Soap off the top layer and reapply.  (Really).  

Wishing you all the best, Kelly (wound care nurse)