I’m almost a week post 15 sessions of radiotherapy, after lumpectomy and full axillary clearance. for TNBC. My breast is red, a bit blistered and slightly swollen, but basically ok. Flamigel being applied regularly, BUT my nipple is driving me mad with itching, irritation and pain. It doesn’t look infected, but the Montgomery tubercles are enlarged and when cold they look yellow, like jaundice, and there is a tiny white bleb which comes and goes. I’m 68, long past menopause. Is there something other than Flamigel I could be using which helps especially with the nipple pain and irritation? Thanks so much.
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I feel you. A few days past 19 radio sessions here. Overall not too bad, very red and sore under the breast, just where my bra strap resides, and just where I seem to sweat most after a hot flush thanks to tamoxifen.
Nipple though, that was always tender throughout, is now many shades darker than the other one and doubled in size.
I got given 1% hydrocortisone cream for the itch, which does seem to immediately soothe it - you can buy this over the counter. I used Biafine during radio which is a french cream, specifically for radiotherapy effects and sunburn. Seemed to keep my skin from blistering so far but Ive now switched to Aveeno skin relief ( blue one) as realied that Biafine has parabens in it - depends how iffy you feel about that.
During a catchup review, a nice radiographer gave me a roll of Polymem - non-adhesive foam basically - that I put over my nipple in my sports bra to stop rub when running on treadmill at the gym.
If the blisters are popping and you have raw open skin areas, I believe they advise not to use cream on it due to infection risk.
Hope you improve soon ( and hope I dont deteriorate as ok so far) x
So helpful entropy thank you. Hydrocortisone going on after shower. And Biafine in fridge for when hospital Flamigel quota runs out, today. Will ask about polymem when I see onco tomorrow. I think chafing is probably part of the problem. Thanks again and all best with your treatment if it ain’t over yet, and your recovery if it is. Sx
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Hi
I used a cold bamboo flannel from the fridge along with lashings of medihoney given to me by the radiologist
Good luck
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Ive actually gone back to using the biafine, particularly on my nipple as the aveeno absorbs quickly and then I noticed my nipple skinn was drying out more in between. Biafine stays more as a thick emulsion so your skin doesnt dry out.
Tx for update. Have Biafine, surprised at how white and wet it is. Just managed to get another tube of Flamigel from RT nurse, she said “you thought you were going to have to beg”, which I am fond of. Also have 1% hydrocortisone which seems to help on nipple. Best Sx