Other patient-related factors include history of collagen vascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, older age, and concurrent use of immunosuppressive or chemotherapeutic agents. The site of radiotherapy, radiation field size, total dose of radiation, dose per fraction, and type and energy

of radiation are considered as treatment-related factors affecting the degree of radiation dermatitis.17 There is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment or prevention for radiation dermatitis. Be that as it may, some supportive care, including gentle washing with mild soap, wearing loose cotton clothing, avoiding extreme temperatures, avoiding sun exposure to radiation fields, avoiding shaving or hair removal in radiation Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical fields, and avoiding use of any unproven topical LEE011 price agents like cosmetic products, is generally advised for all patients undergoing radiotherapy.1,2,4,14 In the literature, a wide variety of topical agents such as corticosteroids, Aloe Vera, Biafine cream, hyaluronic acid, Sucralfate, Dexpanthenol, and vitamin E have been used in acute Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical radiation-induced Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical dermatitis. Nonetheless, the existing evidence is insufficient to recommend the use of a specific topical agent to prevent or to treat this complication.1-4,17,18 Therefore, systematic reviews suggest that the efficacy of the

agents and approaches should be compared in phase I and II clinical trials.2,17 One of the proposed treatments for radiation-induced dermatitis is the use of topical corticosteroids.

Anti-inflammatory effects of these agents may play an important role in relieving patients’ symptoms.1-4,17,18 Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Some evidence indicates the moisturizing effects of hydrocortisone cream as the likely mechanism in the healing of radiation-induced dermatitis. Moisturization plays an essential role in the early prevention Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of acute dermatitis. According to this mechanism, hydrophilic agents such as Aloe Vera gel or vegetable oil reduce the severity of radiation dermatitis as well as topical hydrocortisone.13,19 There is no clear evidence to support the superiority of potent corticosteroids over hydrocortisone in the literature. In a study, Clobetasone butyrate caused more severe radiation reactions compared to hydrocortisone with similar prescribed radiation doses.20 In another study, Schmuth et al.18 compared the topical cream of hydrocortisone (1%) and the topical else cream of Dexpanthenol (0.5%) in the healing of acute radiation-induced dermatitis; however, they found no significant difference in dermatitis healing between the two treatment arms. Other local treatments such as Dexpanthenol, Calendula, and honey ointment have been used for the treatment of dermatitis in different studies.1,2,4,17,21 Another drug which has newly been introduced for the management of burn and infectious wounds is natural Henna (Lawsonia inermis linn), as was used in our study in the form of “Alpha ointment”.