Hello to all!
I remember reading somewhere about using lotion on your neck daily to keep the skin moist. I would like to know a good regimen used by anyone who feels they had a successful one.
All the information here helps me to think ahead and be more proactive. So anything else which would be helpful as I embark on these treatments, please feel free.
I anticipate treatments starting next week...February 17 or thereabouts.

I used a prescription cream called Beta-Val. Some here use aquaphor. I personally didnt like that one.

To use the cream, pat it on ... do NOT rub the very sensitive skin. Put on immediately following radiation. Reapply several times per day. Do not use before going to radiation. I would apply the cream in the car on the way home after tx. After showering, pat the area dry with a towel and then pat on more cream, let it soak in.

Please update your signature. I answered this as if you are going thru radiation. You will need prescription strength cream.

Since you will be starting soon, right now you should be concentrating on eating. Your sense of taste will change for a while so now you need to eat like crazy! You want to go into this strong and without regrets about missing your favorite foods.

Best of luck next week!

I used the Aquaphor , Pure aloe and once a day Eucerin. I seemed to have no problems after A few days. I used it like Christine did. A few times a day but the Eucerin only one time. This cured the dry cracked bloody puss oozing in my neck where the dissection was and on my left cheek. I wish you luck and nothing but the best.

NonaChris, I used Miaderm, expensive but it really helped. Toward the end when things got bad I went to Silver Sulfadiazine. That stuff has been around awhile but it's very effective for deeper burns.

There's so much other advice I and others can offer, so please fire away with questions. Christine's suggestion to eat is a very good one.

Also: have you seen a dentist? If you're having radiation to the head and neck you'll need a dental exam to determine if any teeth needed to be pulled prophylactically and also to be fitted for fluouride trays.

We're all here to help.

David2

Thanks for your replies. I have a dental appointment for tomorrow for basically a health clearance. I had just been to the dentist in November. I go twice a year for dental checks and have had good visits for many years. I have heard about the creams. I believe the Silver Sufadiazine was what my husband used when he got his skin/thigh pulled off by a belt sander...yikes!
I am trying to do my best to eat. I know the stress is not helping so I have to go for it. I usually eat very little. I also purchased the Carnation drink, 560 calories. I was thinking it would help to have some experience with it. I have also been given on a temporary basis a Vita mixer which you can basically make a drink out of everything so I will play around with that also.
Dr. Ridge said no surgery...too much damage to the tongue.
No news yet about HPV but doctor's are leaning toward it being a positive.
I will write more about Clinical Trial for HPV positive tumors, it is a national trial. I am choosing not to participate due to the extended time of treatment, and extended chemo.
Better yet here is a link to read more about the trial:http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/

Thanks for your help and support.
Christine

Hello NonaChris:
I don't remember all the different cremes I was prescribed for my neck, which got so bad it looked like strips of burned bacon peeling off, but the one I remember best, and seemed to help the most, was the Silver Sulfadiazine. I think this creme is used for burn patients. I'd rub a huge amount on my neck and then wrap a towel around it. Today, you can't even tell my neck was in such a horrible condition, so it will get better! Let us know how you do, and prayers headed your way.
julieann

Hi NonaChris,

Everyone reacts differently. My neck burn never got too bad. Sure, it was unsightly, but was minor compared to some other complications I had (like nausea and gag reflex so that I couldn't eat anything solid for a while - vanilla Ensure became my friend). My neck burn was probably the first side-effect to clear up once I was out of active treatment. Perhaps this was in part due to using the cream.

I used the Silver Sulfadizine, but my wife has an allergy to sulfa drugs so we had to be very careful with it.

Eat eat eat! I lost 20 lbs through my treatment, despite every effort to the contrary. I also lost my ability to taste for a while, which makes food very dull. My taste has returned, but my mouth is relatively dry still, which makes eating a chore, depending on what I'm eating.

Good luck!

-Seth

Thanks Stily...you had a challenge there with a possible allergic reaction to the cream for your caretaker.
Thanks for the support.
Stay in touch!
CJW

Thanks for the prayers...I was laying on the CT table having the mask made and I found myself praying and praying. I think that is the only choice for me and I know they work!

I used Radiacare and when the itching started late and in post treatment (do NOT scratch it), a prescription corticosteroid.

Despite having a feeding tube installed and using it regularly, my husband lost almost 30 pounds during treatment and one month after. He, too, lives on ensure, to this day! He has some kind of sores in his mouth that make eating solid food painful! So.. Yes, watch the weight! The better supplements you can take, the better you will feel throughout the treatment.

Tom also had some minor burning on the neck. We used Aquaphor twice a day and a specialty lotion we found at Sunflowers with no alcohol and aloe/shea additives. I also rubbed lotion on his face as it tended to be dry and peeling also. Toward the end, we started using Silverdene, as well. That stuff was a God-send!! It cleared up the burns in less than a week!

Best of luck to you!!

Mrs V---Ask the doc for a magic mouthwash prescription. Its made several different ways, mine was lidocain, malox and benedryl. Your husband would swish it around in his mouth for about 15 c=seconds then spit it out. It should numb his mouth long enough for him to eat. Also he should be rinsing several times per day with 16 oz warm water, 2 tsp baking soda and 2 tsp salt. If it burns then decrease or omit the salt. But the salt in it really helps! This mouth rinse will help heal the mouth sores.

Sorry Nona to go off topic. This info can help you too as you go thru treatments.

NonaChris

IMO, The best way to take care of your neck during radiation is NOT to have concurrent Erbitux chemotherapy. And you are doing that. (aside: this is not some personal foible, there are serious questions about Erbitux not working on 33% or more of patients and just increasing the radiation dermatitis- Dr. Gillison is checking this out as well as my CCC - although I know it to be true for me)
My RO swore by Burt's Bee Balm for his patients. My wife cannot stand the smell of it now as it reminds her of our worst times.
Whatever you use, monitor your skin. there is also a prescription gel I used: Saf Gel, a "hydrating deremal wound dressing with aglinate" although I see from Dr. Google that is now availble on Amazon (use the OCF link) and Walmart without a prescription. It was quite good and soothing.
Best wishes
Charm

Can you get Solugel in the States? You need to keep the burns on your neck moist, covered & and clean.....do your Cancer hospitals or centres not supply you with assistance & mouth washes?