07.27.15
A cancer diagnosis is a life-changing moment that can leave patients in shock as they process the reality of their diagnosis and worry about recovery. It's no wonder that they may not think about the importance of skin care as they begin radiation therapy. Yet skin care during and after radiation is essential to patients feeling good and regaining their physical and emotional health, says
Brenna Quinn, Occupational Therapist and Lymphology Association of North America lymphedema-certified therapist at Cape Cod Healthcare, stresses the importance of good skin care when starting radiation therapy. Radiated skin can become irritated, burned and blistered, causing pain and discomfort. In severe cases, radiated skin can break down and develop open wounds that can complicate and delay treatment. Quinn advises her patients to care for their skin early; two weeks prior to treatment, continuing several weeks after radiation is completed.
"This is important because surgical scars can become hard from radiation if they are not properly cared for. I want my patients' skin to be strengthened so it can withstand six weeks of radiation without breaking down," explains Quinn.
Although creams made with aloe or petroleum are often recommended for radiation burn care and skin side effects of radiation therapy, Quinn says that calendula creams are best.
My Girls Skin Care and now My Guys for men (shown above) both contain calendula, and are two of the products Quinn recommends.
Brenna Quinn, Occupational Therapist and Lymphology Association of North America lymphedema-certified therapist at Cape Cod Healthcare, stresses the importance of good skin care when starting radiation therapy. Radiated skin can become irritated, burned and blistered, causing pain and discomfort. In severe cases, radiated skin can break down and develop open wounds that can complicate and delay treatment. Quinn advises her patients to care for their skin early; two weeks prior to treatment, continuing several weeks after radiation is completed.
"This is important because surgical scars can become hard from radiation if they are not properly cared for. I want my patients' skin to be strengthened so it can withstand six weeks of radiation without breaking down," explains Quinn.
Although creams made with aloe or petroleum are often recommended for radiation burn care and skin side effects of radiation therapy, Quinn says that calendula creams are best.
My Girls Skin Care and now My Guys for men (shown above) both contain calendula, and are two of the products Quinn recommends.