Radiation dermatitis treatment
Radiation dermatitis – the unwelcome consequence of a life-saving therapy
During radiation therapy not only cancer cells are destroyed, but also nearby existing healthy cells are also affected by this form of treatment. Additionally, a patient may develop unpleasant and sometimes serious side effects such as radiation dermatitis.16 The prevention and treatment of these side effects are an essential part of the whole treatment protocol because it can have an extensive impact on the treatment outcome.
The best way to manage radiation dermatitis is to prevent it.
In the prevention of radiation dermatitis, StrataXRT helps to preserve the fragile epidermis for longer while providing symptomatic relief at the same time.
Follow your radiation therapy team’s advice on skin care. Ask which moisturisers or topical products are suitable for the treated area.17
Daily skin care
When a patient suffers from radiation dermatitis it is important to look after the treated body site. It is advised to follow these recommendations: 16
- Cover the treated body site.
- Wear loose clothing.
- Avoid direct sunlight and use sunscreen.
- Use non-perfumed, mild soap.
- Gently pat your skin dry after showers or baths.
- Avoid swimming in chlorinated water as it can have a drying effect on the skin
- Do not rub off the markings your radiation therapist made on your skin. They show where to place the radiation beams.
- Do not put anything that is very hot or cold on the radiated area.
- Use an electric razor if you are allowed to shave.
- Do not “wet-shave” or use hair removal products.
During radiation therapy
During radiation therapy the skin may start to show the side effect radiation dermatitis which is characterized by itchiness and inflammation of the skin. To reduce these side effects it is essential to use a topical agent which ensures that the skin is well hydrated and protected from microbial invasion.16 When the skin toxicity increases dry or moist desquamation may develop. This is where an appropriate open-wound and anti-infective topical dressing should be applied to the affected areas.16
StrataXRT dries to form a thin, flexible wound dressing that is gas permeable and waterproof.4
After radiation therapy
Consult your healthcare practitioner before using StrataXRT with other topical treatments. StrataXRT should not be applied over topical medications unless advised by your physician.
After radiation therapy, the treatment goals are the same as during the radiation therapy. The severity of skin reactions can increase and “peak” around 7 – 10 days after the end of radiation therapy.16 The main treatment target is to promote comfort and reduce the risk of complications or further trauma and infection. StrataXRT reduces the healing time significantly and additionally, it is bacteriostatic which minimizes the risk of infections.
Radiation dermatitis should be treated with a wound dressing that is easy to change and does not cause any additional trauma when it is removed.16 Patients can use StrataXRT themselves at home which increases the compliance for a successful treatment.
Goals of skin care
Consensus goals of care for skin reactions during radiation therapy StrataXRT scores: 16
- Initial maintenance of skin integrity
- Reduced potential of further exacerbation of skin reactions
- Minimized water loss and optimized skin hydration by means of topical agents
- Promotion of comfort and compliance
- Reduction of pain and pruritus without causing a bolus effect
- Control of bleeding, odor and excessive exudate (in combination with secondary dressing)
- Provides a moist environment for rapid healing and re-epithelialization
- Promotion of moist wound healing environment where skin is broken
- Protection from trauma & friction
- Protection of infection
