Hi Ladies,
I finished rads last Friday (3 weeks, 15 sessions) and about 4 days before my last treatment, the skin started spliting under my breast. The radiographers gave me Fucibet cream to use twice a day & I’ve been told to use this until the skin heals, it’s red raw & very weepy at the moment.
I’m guessing I’m not the only one to suffer this, but how long does it normally take to heal? It doesn’t help having big boobs which makes it awkward to let the air get to it. It’s going to get worse before it gets better I know, but if anyone has any tips, I’d be grateful.
TIA
Hi Darzet Dumpling
Welcome to the forums, I’m sorry to read that you are having a pretty tough time at the moment. I’m sure the users of this site will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi Darzet Dumpling, I know what you mean. I had rads 7 years ago and my skin completely broke down with weeping and skin peeling and generally very sore and nasty. I can’t remember what the cream was that Dr gave me but I had dressings on aswell and it actually healed very well. Can’t remember exactly how long it took but I’m sure it wasn’t too long. I did get left with a big square patch of broken veins for some reason though. Hope you are soon feeling much more comfortable.
Regards Beryl x
Hello Darzet Dumpling.
Sorry to hear that you are having problems after your rads. I’ve just started mine - have had 2 out of 15. Skin issues can last up to four weeks after finishing rads. Fucibet should help prevent any infection whilst the skin heals. Wash the area gently and pat dry. A hair dryer set on cool setting is soothing and drys the area. Soft cotton squares under the breast to seperate the skin surfaces should also help. Hope you are feeling better soon. Great that you have finished your rads. x
Hi…I finished rads 2 months ago -15 sessions + 8 boosters- and my skin didn’t heal properly until at least 4 weeks afterwards. The skin underneath was very sore and weepy and I was given intrasite gel. Once the split skin colour changes from dark pink to light pink it seems to heal quite miraculously quickly. What also helped was the very old fashioned bathing the ‘wound’ in warm salt water and patting dry with a soft, cotton cloth. I bought some ‘dressing pads’ meant to cover burns from a well known shop where everything costs a pound and they worked a treat as they didn’t stick to the wound. Hope some of that helps…it does get better…take care 
My sympathies - I suffered in same manner back in 09 when I had my rads. Mepilex was my friend - your GP’s nurses will supply it on prescription. It’s self adhesive which sounds awful but isn’t - it’s very soft and pliable and seemed to help healing and make things more comfortable. Sorry I can’t remember how long it took to heal but do strongly recommend you ask for this miracle dressing!!
Nina
Thank you for your support ladies
I tried the hairdryer & it did help.
This morning there is hardly any weeping & it looks a lot better! Not so much red either just a very tanned boob! lol
Thank you again xx
Hi
finished rads (15 sessions) on Friday, and hoped that my skin would bear up. Today however, the underside is red and angry, and seems to be splitting where the breast meets the rib cage. As it is Sunday, nobody seems to be available to help- can’t get to GP or chemist till Monday. Any ideas will be gratefully accepted. Thanks ladies
Jenny
Hi Darzet_Dumplin, I had same which my GP practice nurse said was a burn. I thought it was just a split. Like broomstick lady I had Mepliex plasters which my GP nurse prescribed for me. The chemist had to order them in so not a usual stock item. They are burn plasters and worked a treat healing the split up in five days. Comfortable to wear and stopped the skin rubbing against the chest wall.
Are you taking a Vit supplement ? I have since my op and think it helps to give a boost to healing the skin even though I eat reasonably healthy.
As all the cells in your breast have been ‘killed’ off the good cells are working overtime repairing themselves. Unfortunately I had a side effect from the rad treatment called symtomatic lung fibrosis. I developed a wheeze about a month after treatment finished and it got worse. I had a high course of steroids for ten days which helped but in a month I was back as before. Seems I had a sinus infection which was also going onto my chest so now on antibiotics for three weeks! GP said my immune system is low due to the cancer and treatment so just be careful you do not get any infections .
I have ‘big boobs’ well did have as one noticeably smaller now! I went without a bra and used vest tops with support tops in which I originally bought for my rad treatment.
I found after rad treatment Aloe Vera gel very soothing and cooling . I had used aqueous cream during treatment. I also have a couple of those gel packs you can put in the freezer forputting on aching joints , etc, which I put a thin cloth between and used that also to cool my breast down.
I finished rad treatment in the middle of April and my boob is still warmer than than the other one though it is only slightly warmer but I can tell the difference. I have sharp pains every so often in the breast and that is normal it seems with all the changes and healing going on inside.
Get yourself an urgent appointment with your GP practice nurse and ask her to prescribe the Meliplex. Hope you get on OK. I am sure other ladies will give you some useful tips, best wishes, Katy.
Just be very careful applying cold packs, as it is very easy to get ice-burn on skin that is already damaged and fragile. We’re instructed not to use ice! Cool the cream you use and/or some wet facecloths in the fridge is good though.
Morning! sorry you are in such discomfort, i know how horrid it can be. However - the skin heals well and fairly quickly. Only thing I can recommend is to lie on the sofa or your bed and lift your boob up letting air get to it. I sat like this for days reading good books! xxx
Thank you everyone. Phoning my rad department this morning to ask about burn plasters(?)
used some aloe Vera jel, covered by gaslight strip of dressing- made it slightly more comfortable.
Dreading getting dressed today- dentist this morning!
jenny x