Effect of Aloe Vera Gel on Severity of Radiation Induced Dermatitis among Patients after Mastectomy

Radiation induced dermatitis is a significant adverse effect of radiation therapy occurring in the majority of patients treated with this modality such as mastectomy. No standard treatment has been recommended for the prevention of this side effect. This article is a report of a study evaluating the effect of Aloe Vera gel on severity of radiation induced dermatitis among patients after mastectomy. A time-series nonequivalent quasi-experimental research design was utilized, hence, a convenient sample of 132 adult female patients receiving radiation therapy after mastectomy were equally assigned randomly to either a study or a control group. Data were collected using two tools: 1) Demographic and Medical Data Sheet, and 2) Radiation Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale (RISRAS). The study results revealed statistical significant reduction in radiation induced dermatitis severity scores among the study group compared to the control group. It was concluded that the use of Aloe Vera gel is effective in reducing the severity of radiation induced dermatitis among patients after mastectomy.