It s also common for the skin in the treated area to become red or dry. They skin should be exposed to the air but protected from the sun, and patients should avoid wearing clothes that rub the area. Good skin care is important at this time. Patients will be shown how to keep the area clean, and they should not put anything on the skin before their radiation treatments. Also, they should not use any lotion or cream at other times without the doctor s advice.
Some patients complain that radiation therapy makes their tongue sensitive.
They may lose their sense of taste or smell or may have a bitter taste in their mouth. Drinking plenty of liquids may lessen the bitter taste. Often, the doctor or nurse can suggest other ways to ease these problems. And it helps to keep in mind that, although the side effects of radiation therapy may not go away completely, most of them gradually become less troublesome and patients feel better when the treatment is over. Keeping the patient comfortable is an important part of routine hospital care.