Long term skin problem

[Scotknit]

Just joined,I had colorectal cancer.I finished a course of radiotherapy/chemotherapy in March this year. I am in better health in general but I have a big problem with my skin condition. Not as sore as it was but still red and itchy . Sitting is uncomfortable,so is lying on my back. Everything I have read says your skin will be back to normal in a matter of weeks. Does anyone else have this problem?

[SpaghettiBetty]

Hi Scotknit that does seem like a long time for your skin to still be so red and itchy.Are you putting anything on it? I wonder, if you are, if you’ve become sensitive to one of the ingredients. Even products that profess to be gentle enough for skin conditions can irritate skin (I have eczema and E45 is the worst for me as it has lanolin in it).

I remember having horrendously sore red skin in my bum crack after radiotherapy 😭 I can’t remember when it finally went but I had to have a special dressing to stop the skin rubbing.

Always worth speaking to your GP but stress that the affected area is within the radiotherapy ‘field’ of treatment.

Hope you get some relief soon.

[janfarrugia]

Poor you. I recall this only too well. I found kneeling with my legs apart the only comfortable position. It lasted quite a long time but I can’t recall how long now but certainly several weeks. I was given some cream which helped but can only remember it was bright yellow and stained everything. I hope you can find something to help

[Scotknit]

Thanks for the comments. I saw district nurses for 6 months every day and I am now seeing the nurses at the surgery 3 times a week ,due to a large wound from surgery. I have also seen a Tissue Viability nurse twice,she recommended Cavilon. It is not as bad as it was after the radiotherapy but still not right. I just don’t understand why sitting and lying on my back is still painful and wondered if it affected anyone else.