Cancer ABCs often is asked if the use of aloe vera might be useful for the treatment of or the prevention of radiation dermatitis of the skin in patients undergoing radiation treatment.

Research shows that aloe vera alone is ineffective and may worsen skin reactions from radiation treatment. Research has shown that the cleansing the skin daily with mild moisturizing soaps is most beneficial.

Evidence supporting the use of aloe vera for the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy-related skin effects is controversial. In a 3-arm randomized study that compared a moist aloe extract with a dry skincare regimen and placebo found aloe was not useful for prevention or treatment in patients with breast cancer.(1)

However, a recent study did find that aloe vera was moderately effective when used in combination with mild soap vs. soap alone.(2) These authors also reported that aloe vera might be useful in patients whose cumulative radiation doses are more than 2700 cGy and for patients who experience acute radiation proctitis.

Reference

1. Hoopfer D, Holloway C, Gabos Z, et al. Three-arm randomized phase III trial: quality aloe and placebo cream versus powder as skin treatment during breast cancer radiation therapy. Clinical Breast Cancer. 2015;15(3):181-190.e1-4. 2. Farrugia CE,

2. Burke ES, Haley ME, Bedi KT, Gandhi, MA. The use of aloe vera in cancer radiation: an updated comprehensive review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2019;35:126-130.