Tips for Coping With Radiation Side Effects

Patients who receive radiation treatment for cancer will experience some side effects, but there are ways to minimize the impact. Radiation side effects vary from patient to patient, depending on the treatment dose and the area of the body treated.

Your radiation oncologist is the best resource to answer your questions about side effects, since he or she is familiar with your medical and treatment history.

General skin changes during and after radiation

After radiation, skin in the treatment area may look:

• Red
• Irritated
• Sunburned
• Tanned
• Dry

Most of these symptoms should go away a few weeks after treatment is finished, but in some cases, the treated skin will remain darker than it was before. A patient should let his or her doctor or nurse know of any skin changes that may occur. They can suggest measures to relieve your discomfort and possibly lessen further irritation.

To decrease further skin problems, patients should:

• Not rub or scrub the affected area
• Gently wash with lukewarm water and mild soap
• Avoid anything hot or cold on skin
• Avoid the sun
• Protect against the sun if they need to be outside:
• • Ask their doctors about using sunscreen
  • Wear sun-protective clothes for at least a year
  • • Broad-brimmed hat
    • Long-sleeved shirt
    • Long pants
• Not use the following, unless doctor-approved:
• • Powder
  • Creams and lotion
  • Perfume
  • Deodorant
  • Body oils and ointments
  • Home remedies

Many skin products can leave a coating on the skin that may cause irritation and may change the dose of radiation that enters the body.

Related resources:

Radiation Therapy Effects(American Cancer Society)

Radiation Therapy and You(The National Cancer Institute)