Scabbing on the nipple and under the breast after radiation therapy can be a normal part of the skin's response to treatment — radiation can cause skin reactions similar to a sunburn, which may lead to peeling, blistering, or scabbing. That said, it's always worth letting your care team know about any skin changes so they Show Full Answer
Scabbing on the nipple and under the breast after radiation therapy can be a normal part of the skin's response to treatment — radiation can cause skin reactions similar to a sunburn, which may lead to peeling, blistering, or scabbing. That said, it's always worth letting your care team know about any skin changes so they can monitor healing. Here are some skin care tips that may help manage these changes:
- Keep the area clean using warm (not hot) water and a mild, unscented soap
- Gently pat skin dry — avoid rubbing
- Apply a moisturizer recommended by your care team before and after treatments
- Wear loose, soft clothing to reduce irritation
- Avoid scratching or rubbing the affected areas
- Skip strongly scented lotions or perfumes on treated skin
- Stay out of direct sun and use SPF 30+ sunscreen when outdoors
- Avoid hot showers, heating pads, or ice packs on treated areas
Some creams and ointments can actually interfere with radiation effectiveness, so always check with your oncologist or radiation therapist before applying anything new to the treated skin. If the scabbing doesn't seem to be healing, is spreading, looks infected, or is causing significant pain, reach out to your care team right away. The sooner they know, the sooner they can help! 💛
April 29
I had radiation for the 5th time last summer. It's normal to get both open/wet and dry scabby spots from radiation. I've been told by my doctors every time to apply lotion to all radiated areas and keep applying it even after the skin is healed to help prevent my skin from getting leathery.
May 1
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