To prevent severe damage to skin tissue, we suggest taking care of the affected areas prior to surgery and radiation, as well as in between radiation therapies. (Click here to read our post on natural product suggestions for radiation dermatitis.)

Continue to use the healing creams you used after surgery or during radiation treatments. You may need to add more concentrated products like all natural, non-toxic vitamin E to keep the area hydrated and supple. According to a Natural and Organic Ingredient listing, other products like Aloe Vera juice (shown to accelerate cell re-growth in skin), carrot oil (also high in vitamin E), pure honey, or olive oil can help moisturize and protect the affected area, helping it to heal.

A majority of patients and physicians suggest using transverse friction massage for a year after surgery (a form of massage to strengthen healing skin), and strongly advise avoiding the sun for at least 3 years. Never allow the scar to become sunburned after it’s healed. Protect, protect!

Remember that the severity of your cancer-related scar can also depend on where the surgery or procedure was performed. A reader from the E-health Skin Cancer forum says, “Since there was no body fat on my face (the area where the cancer was removed), the skin had to stretch in order to cover the missing tissue,” leaving the patient with a noticeable scar. It can be very therapeutic for some cancer patients to take time to feel angry or emotional about their scars (both mental and physical), like the mother and blogger of “Cancer Scars.” Another fighter believes, “The scars fade over time and there are treatments that can be used to help the process along, but I have never had a problem with my scars showing.” In fact, many survivors advocate displaying cancer scars proudly (as a sign of the journey they have taken), or even taking artistic photographs of their scars to help see themselves as beautiful.

* Do you see your scars as beautiful? How do you prevent or treat radiation- and surgery-related scars? Please recommend products, share your tips, or express your opinions!

Photo courtesy of Snap Village

Let’s address the difficult problem of radiation burns. The skin is so fragile, tender and inflamed, that even clothing rubbing against it can be too painful. Radiation burns (or radiation dermatitis) can range from very mild to serious, and involve damage to the outer layer of skin (or occasionally, the inner tissue) due to the high frequency energy of ionizing radiotherapy used for cancer treatment.

The medical and diagnostic usage of X-rays or radiation actually causes skin cells to die, and therefore leads to red areas of skin that resemble a sunburn, and sometimes develop blisters or open sores that can be oozing and gooey. Burns can become increasingly severe depending upon the repeated frequency of radiation treatment, or the amount targeted at a specific area of the body.

Here are a few things you can do to try to minimize the amount of damage to irradiated areas. To begin with, try preparing for radiation treatment weeks in advance by moisturizing. (We like natural formulas like Burt’s Bees Honey and Shea Body Butter.) Target areas 2–3 weeks ahead of time, and hydrate your body (and skin) by drinking plenty of water. Damage to the skin from radiation treatment typically occurs 1–2 weeks after treatment begins, and usually resolves itself 2 weeks after radiation ends. While undergoing radiation, the treated area may start to get pink or red, dry and irritated, or start looking like a burn or suntan.

Remember the following tips when undergoing your treatment (provided by the National Cancer Institute): Take lukewarm showers or baths, avoid activities that rub the skin, and never using anything on the skin that is extremely hot or cold (like heating pads or ice packs). Wear loose, light-weight clothing that allows plenty of room for air to reach the affected area, and avoid scratching or touching the region whenever possible.

Some women who have radiation for breast cancer following a lumpectomy may find that cotton bras are the most comfortable. (For more information on dressing your body after surgery or treatments, please read “Fashion After Breast Cancer.“) It’s especially crucial to avoid sun exposure, wear protective clothing, and use a chemical-free, mineral-based sunblock on radiation burns. (For some sun-block suggestions, please read our post “Photosensitivity: How Can We Protect Ourselves During Chemotherapy?,” or click here for Dr. Weil’s advice on treating serious burns.) To read our post on our top toxin-free products to help you cool and soothe radiation burns, click here.

* Please share your experiences with radiation treatments and what you have used to alleviate the pain from the burns.

Photo Courtesy of Preston Hunt’s Hodgkins Journal.

Radiation dermatitis can be an extremely painful and debilitating condition, yet recent studies have shown that negative side effects can be diminished by ingesting curry-containing foods prior to treatment. The article “Curry Spice Takes Burn Out of Radiation” explains that the anti-inflammatory properties found in curry (known as curcumin) “work in ways similar to the popular Cox-2 inhibiting drugs, including aspirin and Celebrex,” while still being an entirely natural substance. (We love it!)

The University of Rochester Medical Center recently revealed a connection between patients who ate meals high in curry and those who had a decreased likelihood of burning after radiation. “Curcumin, the substance that gives turmeric its yellow color, is a natural anti-inflammatory compound and scientists have already shown that it can suppress tumor blood-vessel growth.” Although the test has only been conducted on mice, researchers believe there is a positive connection between the ingestion of anti-inflammatory foods during radiation treatment (like curry), and the lowered likelihood of extreme burning.

In the fight against cancer, researchers have continued to search for links among nutritional supplements, dietary habits, and lifestyle changes to improve the results of radiotherapy treatments. Try reducing your own internal inflammation by creating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, including unprocessed whole grains, colorful produce, lean proteins (white meats instead of red), and plenty of healthy fats. Choose items that are rich in natural Omega-3 fatty acids like unsalted nuts or organic fish (always choose wild over farmed), and pick deep, dark colors of produce. (They’re high in cancer-fighting antioxidants.)

Start avoiding foods that can increase inflammation, such as fried foods, preservatives, white flours, refined sugars, and saturated fats (found in full-fat dairy products, butters, or fatty meats like bacon). Remember to drink plenty of water or herbal teas (we love antioxidant-rich green tea) throughout the day, instead of caffeine or sugary sodas. Find out more by researching Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet here. We also fell in love with Dr. Perricone’s philosophy, which discusses the connection between diet and skin inflammation. By choosing foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties, we’ll help lessen the severe cancer-related side effects on our hair, skin and nails.

* Let us know if you’ve used any of these nutritional tips and found them helpful in coping with side effects.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Calendula has been proven to help with radiation-induced dermatitis.

You’re so desperate for relief from pain and itching, you may be tempted to apply anything from your bathroom cupboard…but wait! Never use anything on the irritated site without discussing it first with your healthcare provider (whether the product is natural or not). Most doctors suggest skipping all skincare products for at least 4 hours before treatment, but recommend using moisturizers or cooling gels the day after. (Click here for additional specifications.)

Your healthcare provider may recommend helpful emollients or creams (like Aquaphor) for you to apply consistently to the treated area. However, as you know, we’re not thrilled about the mineral oil and petro-chemicals in many of these ointments. A recent study explained that, “Chronic exposure to poorly refined base oils has the potential to cause skin cancer…,” because they are deleterious to product performance and are potentially carcinogenic. A cancer fighter at Cancer Compasselaborated, “I tried Aquaphor and found it sticky, and my skin actually felt itchier after I applied it.” Another added, “I am worried about the petroleum base and the chemicals applied to such a tender area.” (Click here to read our top 21 ingredients to avoid and the here to read more about the dangers and alternatives to petroleum-based products.)

Luckily, most cancer fighters agree on a few simple tips for easing discomfort: use ice on the area for short periods of time, apply a cooling spray to numb the pain (especially if it’s too tender to use cream), or apply Aloe-Vera-based gels that have been cooled in the refrigerator. In addition, many patients have used a combination of water, salt and baking soda for open sores, or calendula-based creams. (See article, “Calendula May Help Radiation-Related Skin Pain.”) You may even try something as simple as applying a cool, wet wash cloth to bring relief, but make sure to only use clean washcloths, and launder them after each use to prevent bacteria from forming.

To treat affected areas, physicians generally suggest using Biafine and Silvadene creams or Damboro soaks (as well as products like Benadryl) to relieve any itching. While those variations may work for severe cases, we recommend trying natural gels or creams that are void of toxins first, as many patients have found they sometimes work better than what the doctor recommends. Choose creams or gels that contain calendula, Aloe Vera, vitamin E, and honey, and keep them in the refrigerator for extra cooling benefits. (We like Jurlique’s Calendula Cream or the calming California Baby Calendula Cream.)

For areas that are too tender to touch, choose sunburn cooling sprays (like California Baby Soothing and Healing Spray). Although the numbing ingredient lidocaine is often used for post-surgical and radiation pain relief, try calming and soothing the afflicted areas with products that use Melaluca oil instead (it’s used in most burn-aiding products). For other herbal-remedy suggestions, please click here. When in doubt, always make sure to read the labels thoroughly, and avoid toxic ingredients like parabens, synthetic fragrances, and dyes at all costs.

* Have you ever dealt with radiation burns? Have any advice to help others? Please share with us!

Photo courtesy of Flickr