Following total laryngectomy in April 2019 I had a course of radiotherapy (31 sessions). All went well but after a short period I developed lymphoedema in my neck and underr my chin.
I am attending speech therapy and using base plates and HMEs to enable my speech. I had used these before radiotherapy with no problem, but since either the radiotherapy or the lymphoedema I am getting very red skin around my stoma. I left out the base plates for a couple of weeks and used hydrocortisone cream for a week and the redness went. I have tried the base plates again and the redness has returned and the skin has started to weep.
Has anyone experienced any of this.
Hi Rangers, if it's just around your stoma I would say it could be the adhesive on the base plates, I use Optiderm as I found the others did not agree with my skin. I have also had reactions from the adhesive on tape or plasters. Don't know if you have tried barrier creams as this will help protect the skin, bio-oil will also help. I have used hydrocortisone whenever I get a reaction as it does help with the healing. Sometimes I take a break overnight by using the foam patches (Kapitex Laryngofoam) it just gives the skin a rest from the base plate. The skin can be tender after radiotherapy depending where you had it done, hope this is of some help. Good luck with the speech, take care.
Chris.
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
