I came across an anecdotal post (medical help) mentioning a gel available that helps protect the skin during radiotherapy treatment to the head and neck. It is from the Bristol Cancer Centre and is called Radiance Skin Gel. It said that it was also used inside the mouth, and her mother didn’t get a single blister over the 6 weeks. The gel also helped when she could no longer open her mouth to even clean her teeth and couldn’t tolerate water, providing just a little relief around her gums and tongue which were so dry.

Any one tried this or found something else helpful?

After reading this post we bought some Radiance Skin Gel from the Bristol Cancer Centre. We've just began to use it on Robert's neck as it's just started to blister after 22 sessions of radiotherapy and the aqueous cream didn't seem to be helping much. It's worked wonders and healed it after only 2 days so we'd definitely recommend it.

Thanks for the tip Dr Joshi.

Lorraine,

Glad to hear that from you, we haven't heard from you or Robert for a while, but those of us who have had the Radiotherapy would expect him not to be very comunicative at the moment. Hope things are going well, and let us know if y6ou have any concerns, as somebody on the site may have already faced the challenges you will both be going through, and may be able to help.

Re the aqueous cream given out, I never used it, I used some french cream that was used during the last war for burns, it is now in use for sunburns.
Although the whole of my neck down to the breast bone, looked very scalded and did break up, I have not scars today.

I did plaster large quantities over the neck area. Hope things are going on well with the healing, it does all take time, and everyones rate of healing is very different.

HI been reading the postings on neck burns ect

I cannot understand why the people I see who have had Neck disection dont like me have a huge scar and my neck looks like on big rash the skim looks awful and I have that appearance from side of a Giraffee (long neck).
I used Aqua cream all the time loads of the dam stuff but it still looks awful

Paul

The scar down the front of my neck is huge, raised and angry. My surgeon has referred me to a plastic surgeon. But he says to wait til a year post op. I produce too much collagen and he's not sure he can make it better.
Ihave never had a rash and I didn't have too much trouble after radio. I use BIO oil which you can get from the chemist. It is quite expensive but you only need a tiny amount and it lasts for ever. I used it as soon as i finished my treatment and it really does help.
I used to coach swimming and I was in the water every day for several hours and my neck used to get really itchy and dry. This oil wasn't available then and I had real problems. Now I have a super smooth moisterised skin. It also helps with the difference with skin colouring and texture after radiotherapy.
I didn't like the aqueous stuff at all so I didn't use it much during treatment- i preferred wheatgerm oil which is totally natural.
Hope this helps- Merry Christmas Paul

Anne W

I used Radiance skin gel a week before i started R.T. and all throughout. I didn't start to burn until about week 4 (i had 6 weeks). My neck then became quite dry and flakey - no blisters. The worst of if right behind my ears! I still continued to use it though and within a week new skin began to come through! I still use it now occasionaly as its very cooling. It contains:Aloe, Lavender, Jasmine and Royal jel,y to name a few.
Definately worked for me!

i to are using Radiance gel works well
David
David and Susan

Hi,

I am about to buy the Radiance Gel after I visited these posts, but one of my friend who went through RT told me that olive oil plus vasline worked very well on here. Did anyone use them in the past? Thank you.

Hi, I washed my hair with baby shampoo and used simple moisturiser during the day- before i went to R/T and when I got back and for the rest of the day I used bio -oil. I got very red but didn't have any blistering ( except behind ears where I forgot to put it!)
Beware spray antiperspirant! Some can blow up onto your head and neck and this reacts with the R/t. Keep away from any products that have metals in them- they WILL react with R/t
Keep smiling
Anne

Vaseline probably isn't a good idea. I wouldn't put vaseline on burnt skin. Plus vaseline is just a barrier. It doesn't penetrate and put goodness back into the skin. Pure Aloe Vera gel is good and soothing. & as i've mentioned before, the Radiance skin Gel was excellent!

quote:

my neck looks like on big rash

Mine also looks as if it has a rash Paul, until that is I apply make up carefully to soften it. I realise as a woman how fortunate I am not to mind wearing make up, which as a man you might dislike. Have you considered a Red Cross lesson on camouflage disguise. It stops that initial stare from passers by.

After reading these posts I have bought my husband some radiance gel as he is about to start radiotherapy for oral cancer. Are there any recommendations or advice anyone has for applying particularly when used inside the mouth?

My advice would be to start using it now as it will prepare the skin. Also, make sure you find out where the radiotherapy exit beam will be. Its REALLY important this area isn't forgotten as i wasn't aware of there would be an exit beam. So the area behind my ears and the back of my neck suffered more than the rest of my skin as it didn't get any gel until it had already started going red! I applied it in the car on my way to treatment. & in the car on the way home. & before i went to bed. It helped me such alot.
It's cooling and soothing and nourishing.

As for using it in the mouth ityself. Use sparingly on the sores. Not tons of it!

Keep us updated with your husbands treatment if you can!

Michelle

Michelle

thank you for the advice. I have made the mistake of asking the radiotherapists what they think and they are being very cautious and want to ask the consultant. I think that we will go ahead and use it in conjunction with the aqueous cream and hope for the best.

Katherine