Re creams on neck. Is it possible you mid-interpreted? I cannot imagine the nurses do not want your brother to use Biafine cream and/or Radiacare Gel (or equivalent) to protect and help his skin recover fron radiation. However, all the nurses will tell you that NO creams etc. can be on the skin during the actual radiation treatment.

Most patients follow a schedule for use of creams somewhat like my husband's:
Before bedtime, wash face and neck with a
mild soap (e.g. Dove), using a very soft cloth (he used baby wash cloths). Put on Radiacare gel and after that dries, a thick layer of Biafine cream. In morning, same routine. Before leaving for treatment (for him, late morning), a shower -- again using Dove -- and making sure to wash off all creams. Immediately after treatment, hit bathroom and apply gel and then the cream. Thus there were three applications a day but nothing on for the actual treatment. Barry had redness and itching and a bit of peeling like with a bad sunburn (which it essentially is!) but no serious broken skin or blisters. so for him this worked pretty well.

Gail