How do you take care of yourself during radiation treatment?
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How do you take care of yourself during radiation treatment?
Health Tip: Take Care of Yourself During Radiation Therapy
- Get enough sleep.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
- Clean the skin affected by radiation with a mild soap.
- Tell your medical team about all medicines and supplements you take.
What are the do’s and don’ts of radiotherapy?
Don’t wear tight clothing over the treatment area. It’s important not to rub, scrub or scratch any sensitive spots. Also avoid putting anything that is very hot or very cold—such as heating pads or ice packs—on your treated skin.
How do you stay strong during radiation?
Protein: Protein helps maintain muscle and supports a healthy immune system — both critical functions needed during radiation. That’s why many radiation patients also have high protein diets. Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamins and minerals also help keep the immune system strong and support healthy tissue repair.
Should you shower after radiation therapy?
Bathe or shower daily using warm water and a mild unscented soap, such as Neutrogena®, Dove®, baby soap, Basis®, or Cetaphil®. Rinse your skin well and pat it dry with a soft towel. When washing, be gentle with your skin in the area being treated. Don’t use a washcloth, scrubbing cloth, loofah or brush.
Should I avoid the sun after radiation therapy?
If you’re having radiotherapy, don’t expose the treated area to the sun until your radiotherapy has finished and any skin reaction has settled down. The skin in the treated area will remain sensitive to the sun for some time after treatment so you will need to use sunscreen.
What vitamins should I take during radiation treatment?
Some supplements, especially antioxidants, may change how radiation therapy works. Antioxidants include vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, and selenium, among others….Other Supplements to Avoid
- Theanine.
- Silymarin.
- Vitamin C/Emergen-C.
- Vitamin E.
- Vitamin A/Beta-carotene.
- CoQ10.
- Quercetin.
- Turmeric/Curcumin.
What is the best cream to use after radiotherapy?
Moisturize: At the beginning your radiation treatment, before you have any side effects, moisturize the skin after your daily treatment with an ointment such as A&D, Eucerin, Aquaphor, Miaderm, Biafene, or Radiacare.
How long is a radiation therapy session?
In most instances, treatments are usually spread out over several weeks to allow your healthy cells to recover in between radiation therapy sessions. Expect each treatment session to last approximately 10 to 30 minutes.
Can you shower after radiation treatment?
Wash, shower or bath daily with lukewarm water during. Avoid the direct stream of the shower on your treated skin. Use a mild unscented, non-deodorant soap over skin, example: Dove or baby soap.
What is the best cream to use after radiation?
Aquaphor® is often recommended to patients for general skin care. (Your health care team will give you a sample and a coupon for Aquaphor). If your skin becomes dry or itches and your doctor approves, apply the product to the treatment areas after radiation.