Most skin reactions are mild and should heal within three to four weeks of your last treatment, but some may need treating or monitoring more closely. For example, skin that has blistered or is peeling will take longer to heal.
Skin reactions don't develop straight away but gradually throughout your course of radiotherapy. Your radiographer looks out for these reactions. But you should also let them know if you feel any soreness. Skin reactions usually settle down 2 to 4 weeks after your treatment ends.
Skin changes from radiation therapy usually go away a few weeks after treatment ends. If skin damage becomes a serious problem, your doctor may change your treatment plan. Lotion may help with skin changes, but be sure to check with your health care team about which cream they recommend and when to apply it.
Radiation therapy can last anywhere from one to six weeks. As you get farther into treatment, the skin on the breast or chest that's repeatedly exposed to radiation can start to look dry or red and feel irritated. It may sometimes even peel.
Sometimes radiation therapy can cause the skin on the part of your body receiving radiation to become dry and peel, itch (called pruritus), and turn red or darker. Your skin may look sunburned or become swollen or puffy. You may develop sores that become painful, wet, and infected. This is called a moist reaction.
Breast and skin changes
Over time, your breast may feel firmer or it may become smaller or larger. You may also have mild tanning of the skin where the breast was treated, or red discoloration, especially around the surgical scar(s). These changes may be permanent.
Aquaphor® is often recommended to patients for general skin care. (Your health care team will give you a sample and a coupon for Aquaphor). If your skin becomes dry or itches and your doctor approves, apply the product to the treatment areas after radiation. Do not apply the product to the treatment marking lines.
Common radiation burn symptoms are: Reddening of white skin or darkening of skin that is black or brown. Itchy skin. Dry and peeling skin.
Bland-petroleum without fragrances reduces the chance of sensitivity reactions and has been shown to repair the barrier within damaged skin These products are inexpensive and easily accessible some of which include Aquaphor and white petroleum jelly.
Radiation burns occur soon after treatment, but due to the body's reduced capacity to heal, skin damage can last for months or years without proper intervention. This is especially true since radiation treatments are scheduled in quick succession, limiting the skin's opportunity to heal and repair between doses.
The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area.
In most cases, healing occurs by regenerative means; however, large radiation doses to the skin can cause permanent hair loss, damaged sebaceous and sweat glands, atrophy, fibrosis, decreased or increased skin pigmentation, and ulceration or necrosis of the exposed tissue.
External radiotherapy does not make you radioactive, as the radiation passes through your body. The radiation from implants or injections can stay in your body for a few days, so you may need to stay in hospital and avoid close contact with other people for a few days as a precaution.
The soreness usually goes away within 3 to 4 weeks after ending the treatment. Towards the end of the radiotherapy, the skin might break down, especially under the breast.
You will probably be able to go back to work or your normal routine in 1 to 3 weeks. It may be longer, depending on the type of work you do and whether you are having radiation or chemotherapy. You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry.
Fortunately, radiation therapy treatment does not cause long-term side effects and most skin reactions are temporary and will usually go away a few weeks of completing radiation therapy. In some cases, though, the irradiated skin will be slightly darker, thinner, or dryer than it was before.
Scar tissue from radiation therapy
The skin usually becomes red and inflamed and often darker in colour. This skin discolouration can last for months. Looking after the skin, minimising the inflammation and hydrating with an oil such as Bio-Oil and protecting the skin barrier can improve recovery.
Treating radiation skin burns typically involves cooling the area with cold compresses, protecting the area from further damage, and applying topical ointments or creams to help speed up the healing process. Oral medications such as steroids may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation and pain.
More than 60% of NPC patients receiving curative-intent radiotherapy suffered from a weight loss greater than 5% during the treatment [8], [9].
Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and undergarments in the treatment area. Avoid tight clothing that will rub up against your skin, including underwire bras. Don't use makeup, perfumes, powders, or aftershave in the treatment area.
The reaction is much like a sunburn, with redness and possible itching, burning, soreness, peeling, blisters, or darkening of the skin. These skin changes happen gradually over the course of treatment and may happen only in certain areas.
Treatment for radiation burns often includes prescription steroid ointments and other medications prescribed by a doctor. These may include radiation burn creams and/or radiation burn lotions applied regularly over a prescribed timeframe.
Look for a pure sorbolene or zinc based cream. In some cases your doctor may recommend you use a cortisone-based cream. Avoid using soap and soap-based washes. Soap-free washes are much gentler on the skin.
Don't use any powders, creams, perfumes, deodorants, body oils, ointments, lotions, or home remedies in the treatment area while you're being treated or for several weeks afterward (unless approved by your doctor or nurse).
You may have aches, twinges or sharp pains in the breast or chest area. These are usually mild. They may continue for months or years, but they usually become milder and less frequent over time. You may also have stiffness and discomfort around the shoulder and breast or chest area during and after treatment.