How to Care for Skin During Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy can irritate your child’s skin. Possible skin changes include:

• Redness or discoloration
• Peeling
• Itching
• Dryness
• Tanning or darkening of the skin
• Hair loss in the treated area
• Soreness or tenderness
• Skin breakdown leading to moist patches and open wounds

Skin damage due to radiation can make the skin more sensitive and increase the risk of infection. Good skin care during radiation therapy helps protect your child’s skin and may lessen irritation and discomfort.

Keep skin clean

Gentle cleaning of the skin is important to help prevent infection. To help keep skin clean:

• Use showers instead of baths.
• Use warm water instead of hot water.
• Wash with mild, unscented, pH-balanced soap like Dove^® or Basis^®. Use a mild shampoo such as baby shampoo.
• Wash skin gently, rinse well, and pat dry. Do not rub or scrub the area.
• Do not shave any skin where your child is getting radiation.
• Do not use deodorants or antiperspirants if your child is getting radiation in the underarm.
• Do not remove special marks or tattoos on the skin until radiation therapy is done.  

Moisturize skin

If your child’s skin gets dry or itchy:

• Use the moisturizers your care team gives you.
• Moisturizers work best when applied immediately after bathing and after radiation treatment.
• Do not apply moisturizer within 2 hours before radiation treatment.
• Do not use greasy or oily lotion, cream, or ointment on the skin where your child gets radiation.
• Do not let your child scratch or rub skin in the treated area. It could increase the chance of infection.

Avoid skin irritation

To help avoid skin irritation:

• Have your child wear soft, loose clothing. Choose natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and linen.
• Avoid tight clothes on the treated area.
• Keep the treated area uncovered as much as possible.
• Avoid hats if your child is getting radiation treatments to the head. If you expect your child to be in the sun for more than 15 minutes, talk to your care team about the best way to protect the head.
• Wash your child’s clothes with a mild, fragrance-free laundry detergent.
• Avoid extreme heat or cold. This includes hot tubs, heating pads, hot blow dryers, and ice packs.
• Do not put sticky things such as tape on treated skin.
• Do not cover the treated area with a bandage, unless instructed by your care team. Use the bandage your care team gives you.
• Ask your care team if it is OK for your child to swim, play sports, wear a backpack, or do any activities that might rub or irritate their skin during radiation therapy.

Protect skin from the sun

Skin is more sensitive to sunlight during and after radiation therapy. To help protect your child’s skin:

• Keep the skin covered if your child will be outside for more than 15 minutes.
• Avoid the sun during the hours of 10 a.m. − 4 p.m. if possible.
• Use PABA-free sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Wash sunscreen off before radiation treatments.

Caring for skin after radiation therapy

Your child’s skin may be sensitive for several weeks after radiation therapy ends. To help your child’s skin heal and stay healthy:

• Do not scrub special marks or tattoos on your child’s skin. These will fade away when treatment ends. Putting lotion on them may help them go away more quickly.
• Protect your child’s skin from the sun. Use PABA-free sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher, wear protective clothing, and avoid the sun as much as possible.
• Let your care team know about any skin changes that continue or develop after treatment ends. Late skin changes after radiation can include thinning, tightness, dryness, loss of sweat glands, and discoloration.

When to call the care team

Talk with your child’s care team about any questions or concerns you have. Watch for skin changes, especially signs of infection. Contact the care team right away if your child has:

• Fever
• Pain, swelling, or redness that gets worse
• Skin that feels warm to the touch
• Blisters or open sores
• Skin that leaks fluid or has a bad smell
• Skin changes that do not get better

Questions to ask your care team

• What skin changes should I expect during or after radiation therapy?
• What products are safe to use on the treated area?
• Are there any soaps, lotions, or shampoos we should avoid?
• Is it safe for my child to swim during treatment?
• What should I do if my child has pain, itching, or peeling?
• How can I protect my child’s skin from the sun during treatment?
• How long will my child’s skin stay sensitive after radiation therapy ends?
• What ongoing care will my child’s skin need?
• How can I help my child’s skin stay healthy long-term?

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