The term "radiation dermatitis" means a disease, the course of which is accompanied by damage to the skin by radioactive waves. No one is safe from the negative impact of the latter. Interaction with harmful rays occurs not only during the period of specific therapy, but also while in the solarium and in the open sun. If the first signs of pathology occur, consult a doctor. Ignoring the symptoms of radiation dermatitis (a photo of the affected area is presented below) leads to the development of various complications. The most dangerous consequence is oncology.
Etiology
Radiation dermatitis is never the result of exposure to internal negative factors. The cause is always external causes.
The following categories of people are at risk:
- People who spend most of the day in the open sun. The most aggressive rays are at lunchtime.
- Persons frequenting the tanning bed. An excessive dose of ultraviolet radiation also often leads to the development of pathology.
- People whose professional activities are related to working on devices generating radiation waves. A striking example is the devices located in medical institutions and beauty salons.
- Patients who are forced to receive appropriate treatment. Radiation dermatitis after radiation therapy is one of the side effects.
It is important to know that the disease does not develop due to a single exposure to a provoking factor. To start the process of development of inflammation, the human body must be regularly exposed to harmful radiation.
The danger of the disease lies in the fact that the first clinical manifestations may not occur immediately. Signs of damage to the skin sometimes appear after a few months.
Acute form of the disease
This is an early stage of pathology. It is characterized by rapid damage to the skin. The formation of the focus of the pathology occurs in the first 24 hours after receiving a dose of 3 Gy or more.
Acute radiation dermatitis has the following symptoms:
- Severe itching.
- Burning skin.
- Painful sensations.
- The presence of small open wounds.
- Redness of the skin.
In some cases, hair loss is observed.
The treatment of radiation dermatitis in this case involves the external use of medications. With a timely visit to the doctor, the progression of the disease can be stopped.
Bullous stage
It develops after completion of the acute form. At this stage, the symptoms of radiation dermatitis are as follows:
- Marked redness of the skin.
- Severe itching.
- Painful sensations.
- Feeling of tightness of the skin.
- Swelling of the tissues.
- Blistering. Their other name is bullae. After the negative effects of rays (12-20 Gy), the skin begins to exfoliate. The resulting space is gradually filled with pathological fluid. Most often it is transparent or has a yellowish tint.
- Erosion.
As it heals, crusts form on the foci of pathology. They disappear on their own in about 2 months. At this stage, the course of radiation dermatitis may be accompanied by hair loss, fever, an increase in the size of the lymph nodes.
A bullous form of the disease requires immediate medical attention. The specialist will carry out diagnostic measures - and based on their results will select the most effective drugs.
Necrosis stage
This form of the disease is the most severe. It develops with regular exposure to 25 Gray or more. The necrotic stage is the reason for an immediate appeal to a medical institution. In most cases, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting.
The following symptoms are characteristic of the necrotic stage:
- Pronounced painful sensations that are almost impossible to endure.
- An increase in body temperature, often to critical values.
- Severe weakness.
- Insomnia.
- Severe redness and swelling of the skin.
- Rashes.
- Open wounds.
A chronic course is characteristic of the necrotic form. At this stage, conservative treatment is usually ineffective. Most often, surgery is prescribed.
Necrotic radiation dermatitis is a danger not only to health, but also to human life. This is due to the fact that it often leads to the development of skin cancer.
Diagnostics
Information on how to treat radiation dermatitis (on the nose, forehead, cheeks, trunk, extremities, etc.) can be provided by a dermatologist. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is enough for the doctor to establish a connection between external manifestations and radiation. To this end, the doctor collects an anamnesis and conducts a physical examination.
In more severe cases, a comprehensive examination is prescribed, including:
- Advanced analysis of fluid connective tissue.
- The study of the composition of urine.
- Microscopic examination of biological material taken from a pathology site.
- Consultation of other narrow specialists (allergist, infectious disease specialist, endocrinologist, etc.).
Radiation dermatitis after radiation therapy develops in 2 cases:
- the patient once received too much radiation;
- the human body was regularly exposed to it, but the dosages were minimal.
In this regard, a dermatologist may have good reason to believe that dermatitis is a secondary symptom of an oncological pathology.
Conservative Therapies
The treatment regimen is developed by a dermatologist taking into account the clinical picture of the disease, the general condition of the patient and the individual characteristics of his health.
The classic therapy plan consists of the following items:
- Taking medications. Doctors prescribe antihistamines and antioxidants.
- Vitamin Therapy.
- Local treatment of foci of pathology with hormonal ointments, regenerating creams and panthenol-based products.
- Laser treatment. This is a physiotherapeutic method that improves blood circulation, contributes to the rapid relief of the inflammatory process and increase regenerative capabilities.
- Hyperbaric oxygenation. The procedure is carried out in pressure chambers. The essence of the method is the use of oxygen under high pressure. Due to this, new blood vessels form and the amount of liquid connective tissue increases.
This treatment regimen is relevant only for patients with acute form of radiation dermatitis. Pathology in the chronic stage only requires the use of nutritious ointments and creams, as well as products containing the blood of dairy calves (Solcoseryl, Actovegin). In addition, it is important to eliminate the provoking factor.
In more severe cases, the doctor may prescribe chemotherapy and a blood transfusion.
Surgical treatment
Surgical excision of the lesion is indicated if there is a high risk of developing skin cancer. If you do not remove part of the skin, the likelihood of oncology increases significantly.
After surgery, a person should in no case allow contact with a provoking factor, follow all the doctor’s instructions and inform him of any changes that occur during treatment.
Forecast and recommendations of specialists
The outcome of the disease depends not only on the frequency of receiving the radiation dose, but also on the timeliness of going to the doctor. Complications are most often diagnosed in patients with a chronic form of the disease. The most negative consequence is squamous skin cancer.
In order to prevent the re-development of the disease, the following recommendations must be observed:
- Do not be in the open sun at the peak of the aggressiveness of its rays.
- Do not visit the solarium.
- Without the need not to undergo x-ray examination.
- Observe all safety precautions if professional activities involve working with provocative agents.
In addition, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the skin. Any changes should be reported to the doctor.
Finally
Against the background of the negative effects of radioactive waves, radiation dermatitis can occur. If there are alarming signs, you should contact a dermatologist as soon as possible. This is due to the fact that ignoring the pathology can lead to the development of complications that pose a danger not only to health, but also to the life of the patient. Treatment of radiation dermatitis involves taking medication, treating foci of pathology with topical drugs, as well as conducting physiotherapy. In severe cases, surgical excision of the affected area is indicated.