What To Do
About Mild Skin Changes
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923105211im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif) |
"Some people in my cancer support group have dry, itchy skin or a sunburned look. My skin where I get radiation started hurting. Know what helped? I use a lotion that my nurse told me about. And I cover my skin when I am outside even for a few minutes." |
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To order free copies of this fact sheet, please call
1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER).
Check with your doctor or nurse before
you put anything on your skin.
- Look at the list of skin products on the bottom of this page. Ask your doctor or nurse which ones are okay for you to use.
Protect your skin.
- Make sure your clothing covers the area being treated when you are outside.
- Wear clothes that are loose.
- Choose clothes and bed sheets made of soft cotton.
- Use an electric razor if your doctor or nurse says you can shave.
Care for your skin.
- Shower or bathe with warm, not hot, water. Don't shower more than one time a day.
- If you bathe, limit baths to two times a week. Bathe for less than 30 minutes.
- Gently pat your skin dry after showers or baths.
- Don't rub off the markings your radiation therapist made on your skin. They show where to place the radiation.
- Don't use heating pads, ice packs, or bandages on the area getting radiation.
- Don't use tanning beds.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923105211im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif)
Tell your doctor or nurse if your skin stays wet or if you have sores. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923105211im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif)
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923105211im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif)
Ask your doctor or nurse about
the best time to put on lotion or
other skin products. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923105211im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif)
If your skin hurts in
the area where you get
treatment, tell your
doctor or nurse. Your
skin might have a moist
reaction. Most often
this happens in areas
where the skin folds,
such as behind the ears
or under the breasts. It can lead to an
infection if not properly treated. Ask your
doctor or nurse how to care for these areas.
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