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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Natural Remedy for Radiation-Induced Dermatitis

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Layer-Lab/areeya_ann from Getty Images/lena5 from Getty Images/CanvaPro

Dermatitis affects 95 percent of patients undergoing radiation therapy. According to a review published in Drugs in Context, the symptoms of radiation-induced dermatitis include pain, ulceration, swelling, itching, burning and physical and psychological discomfort. In some cases, opportunistic infections may also arise. While initial treatments involve moisturizers, dressings and antihistamines, more severe cases are treated with topical corticosteroids and antibiotics. 

Seventy breast cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment participated in a 2024 randomized, double-blind study published in Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications to test the effectiveness of Alantel, a topical body cream that contains concentrated levels of aloe vera, chamomile and thyme. Half the group applied Alantel during the four-week trial, and the control group applied a standard moisturizing emollient cream that contained beeswax. The Alantel group had significantly lower incidence of lesions and a significantly lower duration of dermatitis than the control group.

In-Print National Content Global and Health Briefs Health Brief August 2024
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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