Radiation dermatitis is a common skin condition caused by radiation therapy. It usually occurs in the first 90 days of treatment but may occur later. Treatment options can help.

One side effect of radiation therapy is radiation dermatitis, an often painful and potentially long-lasting skin condition. It usually starts in the first weeks of therapy but may occur weeks or years later. Treatment options include topical corticosteroids, antibiotics, silver dressings, and others.

Read on for more information about radiation dermatitis and what you can do about it.

Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment. It uses X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink malignant tumors. Radiation therapy is effective on many different types of cancer.

A common side effect is radiation dermatitis, also known as X-ray dermatitis or radiation burns. Concentrated exposure to radiation causes painful marks on the skin.

More than 50% of people with cancer are treated with radiation therapy. Of those people, as many as 90–95% are affected by radiation dermatitis.

These typically occur within the first 90 days of treatment and can last for several years after therapy is completed.

During radiation treatment, concentrated X-ray beams pass through the skin and produce irradiated free radicals. This causes:

  • tissue damage
  • DNA damage
  • inflamed skin (affects both the epidermis and dermis or outer and inner layers of skin)

As radiation treatment continues, the skin doesn’t have enough time between doses to heal. Eventually, the affected area of the skin breaks down. This causes pain, discomfort, and rashes.

General symptoms of radiation burns include:

Radiation dermatitis ranges from acute to chronic and generally develops in four stages of severity. In some rare cases, a person may not develop radiation burns.

The four grades of radiation dermatitis are:

  1. skin discoloration
  2. peeling
  3. swelling
  4. death of skin cells

Some people are more likely to get radiation dermatitis than others. Risk factors include:

With the right approach, this side effect can be reduced or eliminated. The best method is to combine topical and oral treatment options. Medical treatment options include:

Corticosteroid cream

Topical steroid cream is often prescribed for radiation dermatitis, although clinical evidence is mixed concerning this treatment option.

Antibiotics

Oral and topical antibiotics have shown effectiveness in treating the burns associated with radiotherapy.

Amifostine

Amifostine is a medication that removes free radicals and reduces toxicity from radiation. However, some data suggests it may be absorbed by tumor cells and may protect them from radiation therapy as well.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the injectable form of amifostine. This treatment option is only available via prescription, so you must speak with your doctor about it.

These over-the-counter remedies may help soothe skin affected by radiation dermatitis.

Silver leaf nylon dressing

Burns on the skin are typically treated with gauze. Studies suggest that silver leaf nylon dressing is one of the best options for radiation burns.

This skin dressing is effective because of its antimicrobial and anti-infective properties. The silver ions used in the nylon dressing release into the skin and work quickly to relieve discomfort and improve recovery.

It is also helpful for relieving symptoms of:

Zinc ointment

Zinc helps the body promote immune function. It can also be applied topically to treat acne, burns, cuts, and ulcers, as well as X-ray dermatitis.

While doctors haven’t completely endorsed zinc as an effective treatment method, it has many potential benefits that may improve your skin. If taken orally, zinc is an effective treatment for ulcers and swelling.

There are certain precautions you can take to prevent more serious symptoms of radiation burns.

Lots of things can make sore, crumbling, dry skin worse. As a general rule, try to avoid:

  • scratching and picking at the affected skin
  • perfume, deodorant, and alcohol-based lotion
  • scented soap
  • swimming in pools or hot tubs with chlorine
  • spending too much time in the sun

Keeping your skin clean, dry, and moisturized can go far as an overall prevention plan for radiation burns.

Radiation therapy can treat cancer, but it also causes serious side effects. However, with the right treatment and oversight from your doctor or dermatologist, you can prevent and treat X-ray dermatitis.

Radiation dermatitis is a skin condition caused by exposure to radiation in radiation therapy. Most people who have radiation therapy will experience some form of it. It usually occurs within the first 90 days of treatment but can occur later and may last for a long time.

Treatment options include medications. Home remedies such as zinc ointment and silver dressings may also help.