Home → Treatment & Side Effects → Planning Your Treatment → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Treatment Issues → August 2001: No Hair, New Hair, Skin Care → Products for breast/underarm area?

Products for breast/underarm area?

Page last modified on: August 19, 2008

Question from Bekka: What products help the breast/underarm area during radiation?: Answer —Marisa Weiss, M.D., Breastcancer.org president and founder: Radiation to the breast does cause skin changes. The skin can go from pink to red. Usually the red areas are limited to small patches. There can be some itching, burning, and tenderness of the skin. You may notice peeling, but usually in a dry way like an old sunburn. If you are big breasted, or if your doctor is treating the area after a mastectomy, there is a greater chance for peeling in a wet way like a blister, which is usually limited to specific spots. There are many products that can help ease your way through treatment. These include aloe from the plants (watch out for the prickers!) and aquathor. But usually at some point you need to use some part of steroid cream, a 1% hydrocortisone cream. Some women also can benefit from a prescription-strength steroid cream. The good news is that your skin generally heals quickly and completely. The red reaction resolves the fastest. The tan changes can take a few weeks to go away. In women of color, the darkening of the skin can be more significant and also can take longer to go away. In my experience, it does nearly completely or totally go away over time.

On Wednesday, August 15, 2001, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called No Hair, New Hair, Skin Care. Mary Gail Mercurio, M.D., Ronda Gates, M.S., R.Ph., and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions on the physical side effects of breast cancer treatment, and what you can do about them.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Was this resource helpful?

Yes No

Thank you for your input!

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Meet the Experts

Mary Gail Mercurio, M.D., is clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Rochester.

Ronda Gates, M.S., R.Ph. is an adult development specialist and health promotion educator who develops and delivers programs and products to support lifestyle change.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

View Mobile Site