I remember a patient, let’s call her Sarah. She was a fighter, truly, going through radiation for breast cancer. One afternoon, she came in, a little quieter than usual. “Doc,” she said, her voice soft, “this spot… it’s really starting to bother me.” She pointed to an area on her chest, where the skin looked a bit like a new sunburn, tender and a little pink. It’s a common story, unfortunately. When you’re battling cancer with radiation therapy, your skin can sometimes bear the brunt of it, leading to what we call a radiation burn.
It’s one of those things, isn’t it? You’re going through so much already with cancer treatment, and then your skin decides to act up. But understanding what’s happening can really help.
So, What Exactly Is a Radiation Burn?
You might also hear your care team call it radiation dermatitis. Essentially, it’s a skin reaction, a common side effect that happens when the powerful rays used in radiation therapy pass through your skin to target those cancer cells. Think of it like this: the radiation is doing its crucial job fighting the cancer, but your skin, being right there on the front line, can get irritated in the process.
It’s incredibly common. In my practice, I’ve seen that most folks who have radiation therapy – and studies say more than 90% – will experience some form of it. Most of the time, these symptoms are mild and we can manage them pretty easily. But for some, maybe around 20%, it can be more bothersome and affect daily life. We really want to help you avoid that.
A radiation burn might look like a typical sunburn, or you might see blotchy patches. If your skin is light, it’ll likely look red. On darker skin, it often appears as areas darker than your usual skin tone. Sometimes, what starts as just itchy, dry skin can progress to look more like that sunburn, and then, occasionally, to a moist or wet patch.
What Signs Should I Look For?
A radiation burn can show up in a few ways, and it often develops gradually, not always straight away. You might notice:
- Reddening of your skin if it’s light, or a darkening if your skin tone is naturally brown or black.
- That persistent itchy skin that can be quite distracting.
- Your skin becoming noticeably dry and starting to peel.
- Sometimes, swelling or even blisters can pop up in the treated area.
- In places where your skin might be a bit sweaty or rub together – like your armpits or under the breasts – you might see open sores. We sometimes call these “weeping radiation burns” because they can be damp.
Now, when does all this start? It’s a bit different for everyone. You might feel some itchiness or dryness pretty early on, especially if the treatment is close to your skin’s surface. But often, symptoms don’t really kick in until a few weeks into your therapy, maybe about a quarter of the way through. That’s because radiation’s effects build up over time – it’s cumulative. Some people even find the burn appears after they’ve finished all their sessions. Weird, right? But the radiation keeps working in your body for a while even after treatment stops.
What Causes Radiation Burn and Am I at Higher Risk?
The main culprit behind radiation burn is, as the name suggests, the external beam radiation therapy itself. It’s a fantastic tool against cancer, delivering radiation through a machine to target cancerous cells. The treatment itself isn’t painful, but that journey of radiation through the skin can cause this irritation.
While anyone getting radiation can experience this, some things might make you a bit more prone to it. We see it more commonly if:
- You smoke.
- You have a history of lots of sunburns.
- The radiation is treating a large patch of your skin.
- You’re getting chemotherapy at the same time as your radiation.
- It also seems more common with radiation for breast cancer, head and neck cancers, or cancers that develop on or near your skin, like skin cancer or anal cancer.
How We Diagnose and Help Manage Radiation Burn
Figuring out if it’s a radiation burn is usually straightforward. Your oncology team and I will be keeping a close eye on your skin throughout your treatment. We’ll ask you how it’s feeling and look at the area regularly. But you’re the expert on your own body! So, please, always let us know if you’re noticing any new soreness, itchiness, or other changes.
Alright, so what can we do about a radiation burn? The good news is, we have ways to make you more comfortable and help your skin heal. My approach is always to work with you to find what soothes your skin best.
- Often, we’ll recommend specific creams or lotions. The key here is to use products that are unscented and don’t contain lanolin, as those can sometimes make things worse.
- For more troublesome burns, I might prescribe something a bit stronger, like a steroid cream. For instance, for my patients undergoing radiation for breast cancer, a topical steroid can sometimes help reduce the risk or severity of radiation dermatitis.
- The golden rule? Always, always chat with your oncology team or me before putting anything new on the treated skin. This includes any over-the-counter products, even if they seem harmless. We’ll guide you on what’s safe and how often to use them.
The best thing to put on a radiation burn is what your healthcare provider recommends. We’ll work together.
Taking Care of Your Skin: Tips for Comfort
Being gentle with your skin is the absolute most important thing right now. How you wash, what you wear, how you protect it from the sun – these everyday things become extra important.
Here’s what I often tell my patients to help ease symptoms of radiation burn:
- Cleanse gently: Wash the irritated skin with a mild, unscented soap and lukewarm water. Your hands are much kinder to your skin right now than a washcloth or loofah.
- Don’t rub or scratch: I know, it’s so tempting when it’s itchy! But scratching can make it worse. Try to pat your skin dry with a soft towel after showers or baths.
- Shave smart (if you must): If you need to shave the treatment area, an electric razor is your best bet to avoid irritating your skin. Regular razors might scrape and damage it.
- Avoid extreme temperatures: Don’t use heating pads or ice packs directly on the treated skin, as this can irritate it further.
- Wear loose, soft clothing: Choose clothes that don’t rub against or irritate the affected skin. Cotton is often a good choice.
- Bandage with care: If you need to cover your treatment area with bandages, secure them with paper tape, which is gentler on the skin. Try to place the tape away from the treated area if possible, and don’t put it in the exact same spot each time.
- Stay out of the sun: This is a big one. The treated skin will be very sensitive to sunlight. Wear protective clothing whenever you’re outside. Ask your doctor if you should use sunscreen and, if so, what kind is best.
- Keep cool: Your skin might feel better if you can spend time in cool, humid environments. Using a cool mist humidifier can add moisture to the air in your room.
- Talk to us first: Before you put anything on your treatment area – cosmetics, hair removal products, powders, creams (other than what we’ve recommended), lotions, oils, ointments, or perfumes – please check with your care team.
- Use prescribed creams as directed: Only use the creams that your doctor recommends or prescribes. Some over-the-counter products, especially scented ones, can really irritate your skin more.
When to Call Your Doctor Urgently
While we expect some skin reaction, we also need to be vigilant for any signs of infection. Please contact your healthcare provider immediately or go to the emergency room if you notice:
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius) or higher.
- The skin in the treatment area becomes warm to the touch and/or looks unusually red (on light skin) or dark (on black or brown skin).
- The skin in the treatment area begins to drain liquid that smells bad.
These could be signs of an infection, and we’d want to check that out right away.
A common worry I hear is, “Will this radiation burn mean I have to stop my cancer treatment?” Almost always, the answer is no. We can usually manage the skin symptoms without pausing your vital radiation therapy. Sometimes, your oncology team might adjust your treatment plan a bit to help your skin cope, but stopping altogether is rare.
Take-Home Message: Key Points on Radiation Burn
Here’s a little summary of what to keep in mind about radiation burn:
- It’s a very common skin reaction (also called radiation dermatitis) to radiation therapy for cancer.
- Symptoms often include redness or darkening, itching, dryness, peeling, and sometimes blistering or sores. They can appear during or even after treatment.
- Don’t suffer in silence! Talk to your doctor or oncology nurse. We have ways to help manage symptoms, often with special creams and skin care advice.
- Gentle care is key: use mild soap, pat your skin dry, wear loose clothing, and be very careful to protect the treated skin from the sun.
- Most symptoms start to get better a few weeks after your radiation therapy finishes, but your skin may remain sensitive for a while longer. Always let us know if you see any signs of infection.
You’re Not Alone in This
Going through radiation is a significant journey, and dealing with side effects like a radiation burn can certainly add an extra layer of challenge. Tough, I know. But please remember, you’re not navigating this by yourself. Your whole healthcare team, including me, is here to support you every step of the way. We want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible while you get the treatment you need. Keep those lines of communication open – we’ll get through it together.
