Radiotherapy burns

flufalump · 2023-12-27T20:11:00+00:00

Hi all, My mum has had 33 sessions of radio on her face/ head and neck. They finished last week. Her skin was red and sore intially but has now totally 'broken down'. There is skin coming away and it is very wet, yucky and open. I am dressing it but its so terrible it makes me cry for her. Is there anything else i can do or put on it? Its like this inside too but she has a mouth wash that helps. She has not really eaten since christmas day and has been sick alot. Any help is apreciated.

PieonaBarm · 27/12/2023 20:16

My Mum was given proper burns dressings by the hospital, does she have a specialist nurse she can ring? The dressings were brilliant I burned myself quite badly on the oven (had a divot in my arm I could put my finger in) and despite my protests that my mum needed them my Dad put one on my arm and I have no scar.

PieonaBarm · 27/12/2023 20:17

Otherwise ring the gp and see if they can prescribe some dressings?

Original poster

flufalump · 27/12/2023 20:20

Thanks. She does have the proper dressings and we are changing them, I was expecting it to look sore but this is next level. The skin is just like a big open wound. I have found the staff to just be so unhelpful to be honest. Not a complainer but they just dont seem that phased by it all, maybe because they see it all the time? Ive googled and non of the images of sore skin look as bad as my mums face 😭

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PastTheGin · 27/12/2023 20:23

Please contact her GP for help, your poor mum!

Tegaderm film plasters are good for open sores if you need something for now.

PinkflowersWhiteBerries · 27/12/2023 20:24

Would agree with Pieona. If your mum has a radiology nurse , please contact her/him and ask for advice. Dressings will help; thereafter fragrance free moisturiser like Diprobase, but not while the wounds are open.
Re the eating. It’s not unusual. It’s possible that her tastebuds have been destroyed. They will grow back but it could take a while. Try to encourage he4 to eat whatever she fancies.
Biotin toothpaste and mouth gel can help soothe a sore mouth. Xylitol lozenges can help keep her mouth from staying out. Avoid bonjela etc. Salt water rinses are also good for mouth hygiene.
💐 for your mum. It’s miserable, but can get better.

PinkflowersWhiteBerries · 27/12/2023 20:26

Just saw your update. That sounds nasty. Push to get her Oncology consultant to see her. They should be proactive with this stuff.

Original poster

flufalump · 27/12/2023 22:33

Thanks for the helpful comments. I will try to speak to someone tomorrow. She was suposed to see the nursing staff and wound care people today but they cancelled over christmas

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Iwasdrunkandamenace · 27/12/2023 22:42

Please call the radiotherapy department - your mum will have been given their direct number but with everything going on it may have been forgotten.

The squeaky wheel gets the oil so make sure you shout about how bad it is.

Iwasdrunkandamenace · 27/12/2023 22:42

Please call the radiotherapy department - your mum will have been given their direct number but with everything going on it may have been forgotten.

The squeaky wheel gets the oil so make sure you shout about how bad it is.

Im sorry you’re going through this.

fourelementary · 27/12/2023 22:43

Your GP surgery will have a District Nurse service running over the holidays and they will have good dressings…if your mum is housebound currently they’d be an idea? Or practice nurse? Sorry the staff are being so unsupportive, that’s awful. 😔

Original poster

flufalump · 27/12/2023 22:47

PinkflowersWhiteBerries · 27/12/2023 20:24

Would agree with Pieona. If your mum has a radiology nurse , please contact her/him and ask for advice. Dressings will help; thereafter fragrance free moisturiser like Diprobase, but not while the wounds are open.
Re the eating. It’s not unusual. It’s possible that her tastebuds have been destroyed. They will grow back but it could take a while. Try to encourage he4 to eat whatever she fancies.
Biotin toothpaste and mouth gel can help soothe a sore mouth. Xylitol lozenges can help keep her mouth from staying out. Avoid bonjela etc. Salt water rinses are also good for mouth hygiene.
💐 for your mum. It’s miserable, but can get better.

Thanks for these suggestions too. When the lu operated they took the nerves to her eye and her mouth so she has lost a lot of the ability to move food around her mouth as well as the radio ruining her ability to swallow so its hard to gef anything down orally 😩
I just feel like she is deteriorating in front of my eyes

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PinkflowersWhiteBerries · 28/12/2023 11:05

Aw Flufalump, so sorry to hear your mum is deteriorating like that. It must be so very hard to watch, and so hard to help. She’s been through a lot. Perhaps the GP could prescribe something like Fortisip, to help maintain her nutritionally. (You can buy it, but it is expensive).

Original poster

flufalump · 28/12/2023 14:29

Thanks everone. I habe taken her back in the radiology department today and they have stripped all the junky stuff off and redressed it for her/ used some new stuff on it.
They talked about admitting her as she is not able to keep food down due to sickness but also cant swallow it in the first place but they called the on call doctor 5 times ane they didnt come so sent her home as they said we could be wating hours which is not ideal with how she is feeling. If she is still the same tomorrow and still hasnt eaten then i will take her back

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