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Cancer - Radiotherapy treatments

Skin Care During and After your Radiotherapy Treatment

This leaflet has been provided to make you aware of the possible side effects radiotherapy may cause to your skin. It also informs you how to care for your skin during and after your treatment.

Click here to download this resource as a PDF file

What changes can I expect to my skin during and after my radiotherapy treatment?

  • You may notice your skin becomes pinker or darker in colour.
  • Itching and soreness of the skin is possible.
  • Your skin may feel warm to touch.
  • Dryness, flaking, and a possibility of your skin breaking down causing your skin to weep.
  • Blistering and peeling of the skin.
  • Skin can feel tight.

What can cause my skin to worsen during radiotherapy?

Image of the Sun
  • Your skin may always be a lot more sensitive to the sun than the rest of your body.
Image of shampoo and cream that contain chemicals
  • Using harsh chemicals such as fragranced soaps, shampoos, powders and moisturisers/lotions on your skin.
Image of a friction burn on an arm
  • Friction underneath folds of the skin such as the breast, buttocks and armpits.
Image of a T shirt
  • Wearing tight fitted clothing that may rub against the skin.
Image of someone scratching their arm
  • Scratching at your skin to relieve the itching.
Image of a packet of cigarettes
  • Smoking can reduce the supply of oxygen to the skin, increasing skin reactions.

DO’s and Don’ts to looking after your skin during radiotherapy

Do

  • Keep your skin covered and protected from the sun. Wear loose fitted clothing and a high factor 50 sunscreen.
  • If using a moisturiser, place it in the fridge before using it on your skin. This can help cool the area down, relieve itching and keep your skin hydrated.
  • Take antihistamines to relieve itching. These can be bought over the counter from your local pharmacy. Please check with your GP before taking.
  • Use fragrance free moisturisers/lotions on your skin.
  • Use mild temperature water when washing.
  • Be gentle with your skin. Always pat dry instead of rubbing.
  • Apply dressings to broken areas of the skin. These can be provided by your radiotherapy nurses.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Eat a nutritional well-balanced diet.
  • Continue to use aerosol or roll-on deodorant if you would like to do so.
  • Showering is recommended over soaking in the bath.
  • Let your radiographers know of any skin changes.

Do not

  • Avoid using a hot water bottle on your skin. This can cause further irritation.
  • Smoking can cause more severe skin reactions. Please speak to a radiographer if you need help quitting smoking or cutting down.
  • Don’t wear a tight or underwired bra, collared clothing or tights. This depends on the area of your body you are having treatment to. You can always ask a radiographer or nurse if you are unsure.
  • Don’t apply moisturiser/lotions within the hour before your treatment to avoid leaving a thick layer of this on your skin. These may be still applied at any other time of the day.
  • Don’t use any skin care products on your skin if you notice your skin has broken down.
  • Avoid hair removal where possible, including shaving, waxing, cream and lasers unless advised otherwise by your consultant, nurse or radiographer.
  • Don’t use makeup or other cosmetics in the treatment area.

Good to know

  1. We do not recommend a certain brand of moisturiser/lotion, shampoo and other skin products as everyone is different and can react differently to each product.
  2. If you introduce a new skin care product to the skin or would like to start using a moisturiser whilst on treatment, we recommend that you do this at the start of the treatment rather than the end. Ensure any new products are sampled on a different part of the body before applying to where we are treating.
  3. If you want to use a certain product, check with your radiographer or bring the product in when you arrive for your treatment so that the ingredients can be looked at.
  4. Radiotherapy treatment rarely causes side effects straight away. However, you may notice skin changes (redness, dry/flaky skin, discolouration and breaks on your skin in the treatment area) as your treatment progresses. This is all perfectly normal.
  5. The radiotherapy treatment affects everybody’s skin differently. Some people may notice more severe side effects than others, even after following the same advice. You may not notice any changes to the skin at all. This does not mean the treatment is not working.
  6. The information in this leaflet is to be used as a guide. If you have any questions or need further advice, please speak to a radiographer or nurse.

What can I do and expect after finishing my radiotherapy treatment?

  • Keep an eye on your skin, as the radiotherapy treatment continues to work inside your body over the next 2 weeks.
  • You should continue with the same skin care routine for at least two weeks after you finish radiotherapy treatment as side effects can still develop after treatment.
  • If you are worried about your skin or need further advice once you finish your radiotherapy treatment, please get in touch with the radiotherapy nurses. The telephone contact number is available in this leaflet.

Suitable dressings following treatment

Your GP should be able to provide you with dressings after treatment. Dressings must be either non-adhesive or silicone based. We would recommend:

  • Mepilex lite.
  • Mepilex border.
  • Polymem.
  • Mepilex.
  • Actiform Cool (can be used for hot or itchy skin in the treatment area).

If tape is needed to secure dressings, Mepitac should be used.
A yellow/green coloured exudate (discharge) may develop over broken skin.

This is a part of the healing process and contains enzymes which help the skin to heal. Dressings applied will absorb this exudate and should be kept in place until the outer layer appears stained. If you have any queries, you can contact:

The Princess Royal Suite Nurses

01132067587

Order numbers for any of the products listed can be supplied to healthcare professionals by calling the number above.

If your GP requires any further information on skin care after Radiotherapy please phone the above number. Alternatively they can email for an electronic copy:

[email protected]
  • LN: LN005131
  • Edition number: 002
  • Developed by: Ulfatt Bibi - Radiotherapy Practitioner, Hannah Barron - Radiotherapy Advanced Practitioner and Rosie Clark - Radiotherapy Review Clinic Sister.
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