Radiation dermatitis (skin reaction)
Redness, dryness, itching and sometimes peeling of the skin in the treated area, building up over the course and settling a few weeks after it ends. Severe in a minority, worst in skin folds and after chemotherapy.
Overview
Radiation damages the dividing cells of the skin's basal layer, producing erythema in the second or third week, dry then moist desquamation at higher doses, and rarely ulceration. Modern planning, bolus decisions and skin-sparing techniques have reduced severe reactions; care is gentle washing, moisturisers, topical steroids for itch and dressings for moist areas, with barrier films and Mepitel under study. Late changes include pigmentation, telangiectasia and fibrosis.
Showing the technology this term belongs to: Radioprotectors and normal-tissue sparing drugs.
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