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Prostate Treatment-Related Skin Care

What are treatment-related skin problems?

When you are receiving radiation therapy, you may experience a temporary disruption to the surface of the skin in the area being treated. This area will be outlined by purple ink marks that are applied directly to the skin. The skin within this area may begin to look irritated. Scratching this area with your fingernails or washing this area with soap and water or applying oil-based lotions may increase the likelihood of skin problems.

How do people describe treatment-related skin problems?

Individuals who are receiving radiation treatments have described skin as being reddened, sunburned, or tanned. Other words used to describe radiation treatment-related skin conditions are itching, dryness, swelling (edema), or weeping. A skin reaction is an expected side effect of radiation therapy.

What happens when you experience treatment-related skin problems?

Initially, your skin may not look or feel different. After two to three weeks, you may begin to experience some redness or dryness of the skin in the area being treated. If the treatment field is in an area where clothing comes in contact with the skin, you may experience itching or inflammation at the site due to friction or pressure.

What causes treatment-related skin problems?

During each treatment, radiation ions will pass through the skin located in the treatment field. Some of the upper layer of cells of the skin will be destroyed as the radiation enters and leaves the treatment area. The degree or intensity of the skin reaction will be greater in clients receiving a large daily dose of radiation and in clients who have fair, translucent skin. These skin reactions are reversible following completion of the radiation course of treatment.

How do people cope with treatment-related skin problems?

During treatment and for several weeks afterward the skin in the treatment area must be protected from injury due to friction, irritation, or pressure.
Here are some tips to help you cope with skin problems:

  • Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing over the area being radiated.
  • Wear comfortable, older garments that can be thrown away if the ink marks rub off.
  • Wear loose, soft cotton undergarments.
  • Do not starch your clothes.
  • Do not rub or scrub treated skin areas.
  • Do not use adhesive tape on treated areas, if bandaging is necessary, use paper tape.
  • Avoid swimming in salt water or in chlorinated swimming pools during treatment.
  • Avoid all sources of heat on the treated skin (Do not use heating pads, hot tubs, or hot salt baths).
  • Avoid exposing skin to cold temperatures such as ice bags, or sitting on cold aluminum benches in the winter.

Since the skin in the treatment field will always be thinner, dryer, and more sensitive than the rest of your skin surfaces, it must continue to be protected after treatment is completed

How can I talk with my partner about my treatment-related skin problems?

  • Be open and honest with your partner.
  • Calmly share with your partner your concerns about your skin.
  • Ask for your partner's thoughts and feelings.
  • Together talk about possible solutions and develop a plan of action. Post your plan.

What symptoms should you report to the nurse?

Call your doctor or nurse if you experience:

  • Blister formation on the skin in the treatment field.
  • Swelling or inflammation of skin in the treatment field.
  • Open or "weeping" areas in the treatment area.

Who can I call to get more information?

Contact your doctor or radiation oncology nurse.

This information was conducted in affiliation with the Walther Cancer Institute, Indianapolis, IN
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Last modified on 01/28/2004
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