Aloe Vera or E45?

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Hi all,

Hi all,

In advance of my RT starting on Monday, the radiologist called me yesterday to discuss a few things. He advised me to put E 45 or Avenida cream on my neck before and after treatment. I told him that I had read of many people who swear by aloe vera, he said that they don’t recommend that at all, because it’s more like an oil and will fry skin!

I was under the impression that I would be given a batch of stuff to cope with side-effects when I first start treatment, but this seems not to be the case. Anyway, I just wondered if people had thoughts about the best cream to use? I also thought it was odd that he told me to put cream on before treatment as well as after……

Following this chat with him, I plan to do as I’ve been told, but I would be interested to know of other peoples thoughts on this. Thanks in advance, Bridget

  • Hi, mine was breast cancer but I would always take notice of the radiologists  who recommended used both Aveena and E45, I used both and had no issues.  Take care and keep out of the sun (which is not hard this time of year!) Lx

  • Hi, it is a good idea to keep your neck well moisturised, but if you have time, contact your GP, and see if you can get some Flamigel RT .. if not, have a word with your team on Monday..  just a thought.. good luck.

    Loz (61)

    Oropharyngeal right tongue base T2N2bM0 squamous cell carcinoma p16 positive.. 

  • Show him this 

    Radiologists don’t know everything. Radiographers who actually deliver the treatment and are your daily point of contact are much better informed. 
    First. E45 is fine ( I used Cetraben but that’s not much different) DO NOT put it on in the hour before RT. You will fry. I washed my neck before treatment. 
    Aloe vera is not an oil but a water based gel. The only time I applied it was immediately after RT in the car on the way back. My neck got red and a bit flaky but stayed intact and didn’t hurt

    If you meet your radiologist again ( probably unlikely, I met mine only during planning) show him the post 

    Your radiographers are likely to know all this already. 
    Hope this helps. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • I was under the impression that I would be given a batch of stuff to cope with side-effects when I first start treatment, but this seems not to be the case.

    That’s a real pity. I was given a huge pump tub of Diprobase. I found it too greasy which is why I went for the Cetraben 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  •  Take care and keep out of the sun

    It’s recommended that we cover our necks during treatment and use sunblock after recovery 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • contact your GP, and see if you can get some Flamigel RT

      

    That's good stuff. It’s a gel so won’t clog your skin up. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • I used both during RT sessions.  My team allowed me to put cream on before a session, but only the thinnest of smears otherwise it causes the trajectory of the beams to diverge - you learn something new everyday!

    My oncologist said using that regime in their RT LINACS I would not burn.

    Throughout and subsequently I've used bot and never suffered a significant "burn" to my skin.  Certainly the Aloe Vera I use does not feel oily and did not fry my skin!  However, best to listen to your team as their RT machines may be different to the one I was in and have different requirements.

    Peter
    See my profile for more details of my convoluted journey
  •   My team allowed me to put cream on before a session, but only the thinnest of smears otherwise it causes the trajectory of the beams to diverge

    I never knew that. Maybe it’s because all these creams have metals in them? 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • Peter
    See my profile for more details of my convoluted journey
  • Epimax was Dundee radiotherapy weapon of choice....I managed to get GP to prescribe Epimax Oatmeal ...worked for me.

    Peter