Meegan, M.A., & Haycocks, T.R. (1997). An investigation into the management of acute skin reactions from tangential breast irradiation. Canadian Journal of Medical Radiation, 28, 169–173.
To determine if there is an adverse effect to irradiated skin when patients use their normal skin care regimens
Two consecutive groups of patients received tangential breast irradiation. The first group (group A) used the traditional skin care advice of using warm water only, avoiding the use of all lotion, soaps, and deodorants in the treatment field. The second group (group B) continued with their normal skin care regimen with no product restriction. Patients and therapists scored the skin reaction weekly and three weeks after treatment.
The study used a prospective trial design.
There were no significant differences found in skin assessment scores between groups. Reactions peaked at 7–10 days from completion of radiation. There was no difference in the skin scores between the two groups at that point. Patient self-scoring of the severity of the skin reaction revealed that group A consistently scored higher than group B, indicating greater level of problems.
There is no difference between the severity of skin reactions of patients using no products and those using their usual skin care products.