Peeling Skin 101

When I had my final check-up with the radiation oncologist, he told me to expect my skin to continue to darken for 7-10 days.  He also informed me that in order to expose the new, fresh skin underneath, the radiated skin would have to peel.  In my arrogance, due to the fact that my skin had done extremely well -- both in my estimation and by the opinion of my therapists -- I thought that neither of these two things would happen.

WRONG!!!

It amazes me how these careful, precise radiation rays ultimately drew a mathematically-correct parallelogram on my chest, complete with four 90 degree corners. Each day I have been home, I have watched the radiated area blossom into a lobster-red, perfect rectangle. Ever the diligent one, I continued with my Lubriderm lotion, adding in some Vitamin E oil which the doc said should minimize the eventual brown rectangle.  [Actually, now that I think about it, the only place the brown rectangle would ever be seen outside of my home is a doctor's office or a topless beach. So many doctors have seen so much of me, I could care less any more.  And, I'm not in the habit of gracing topless beaches, so .........] But, I'll continue on with the Vitamin E just because I'm sure it's also a great moisturizer.

The first portion of my rectangle to peel was my armpit.  The radiated area goes half way up my right armpit, and it is quite amusing to gaze in the mirror at a half-white, half-red armpit.  Due to rubbing shirts and skin-against-skin, the radiated skin started to peel away, thwarting my plans to start using antiperspirant again. It is presently a beautiful crimson colour, with peeling edges that I try to keep my fingers off! [I was going to include photos, but considered them a bit too graphic!]

The next portion to peel is where the band of my sports bra rubs under my chest. It has grown in size to be about 6" long and 2" wide and is ultra-painful when I wear any kind of bra. So, in a throw-back to my teenage-hood in the 70's, I've become a braless hippie chick -- at least when I'm in the confines of my house. I slather vast amounts of lotion or aloe gel on my 10" x 12" rectangle, throw on a comfy T-shirt with sleeves and call it my new "at home" look.

The dilemma I'm presently facing is -- if the skin has to and should peel, am I better off to let it happen, or should I be keeping up my present regime trying to stop the peeling skin in its tracks? My research continues -- I'll let you know!