Depending on the part of the body treated, EBRT may make skin in the treatment area dry, itchy and flaky. Your skin may change in colour (look red, sunburnt or tanned) and may feel painful. Skin changes often start 10–14 days after the first treatment. They often get worse during treatment, before improving in the weeks after treatment.
You may need dressings and creams to help the area heal, avoid infection and make you more comfortable. Pain medicine can help if the skin is very sore. Let your radiation therapy team know about skin changes, such as cracks or blisters, moist areas, rashes, infections, swelling or peeling.
Taking care of your skin
- Clean skin with warm water and a mild unscented soap. Gently pat skin dry with a soft towel.
- Ask your doctor or nurse what type of water‑based moisturiser to use. Avoid perfumed or scented products.
- Start moisturising from the first day of treatment. Apply moisturiser at least 2 hours before or after each session.
- Protect your skin outdoors. The sun can irritate skin changes and delay healing.
- Let temporary skin markings wear off by themselves. Don’t scrub your skin to remove them.
- Avoid using razors, hair dryers, hot water bottles, heat packs, wheat bags or icepacks on the area that has been treated.
- Wear loose, soft cotton clothing. Avoid tight‑fitting items in the treatment area.
- Check with your doctor about swimming. Chlorine may worsen skin reactions for some people.
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A/Prof Susan Carroll, Senior Staff Specialist, Radiation Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, and The University of Sydney, NSW. This edition is based on the previous edition, which was reviewed by the following panel: A/Prof Susan Carroll (see above); Katie Benton, Advanced Dietitian Oncology, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, QLD; Adrian Gibbs, Director of Physics, Radiation Oncology, Princess Alexandra Hospital Raymond Terrace, QLD; Sinead Hanley, Consumer; Dr Annie Ho, Radiation Oncologist, GenesisCare, Macquarie University Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital, NSW; Angelo Katsilis, Clinical Manager Radiation Therapist, Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Candice Kwet-On, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Jasmine Nguyen, Radiation Therapist, GenesisCare Hollywood, WA; Graham Rees, Consumer; Nicole Shackleton, Radiation Therapist, GenesisCare Murdoch, WA; Dr Tom Shakespeare, Director, Cancer Services, Mid North Coast Local Health District, NSW; Gabrielle Vigar, Nurse Lead, Cancer Program, Royal Adelaide Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, SA.
We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
