Dedicated radiation oncologist Dr. Mary Kara Bucci treats patients at the New Mexico Cancer Center. To this position, Mary Kara Bucci, MD, brings more than a decade of experience in clinical, research, and academic settings that have exposed her to a range of side effects for radiation therapy, like radiation dermatitis. She also studied the efficacy of certain techniques when it came to preventing such issues and had her research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Radiation dermatitis, also known as radiation burns or x-ray dermatitis, is the most common side effect of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. It affects roughly 66 percent of people who undergo radiotherapy and can last for several years after radiotherapy sessions are completed.
Fortunately, many people can treat or manage radiation dermatitis at home. According to the American Cancer Society, skin affected by radiation dermatitis should never be scrubbed and must be washed with either warm or cool water. Further, affected individuals should avoid using an electric razor on irritated skin, skip any after-shaves that contain alcohol, and drink plenty of fluids.
Beyond this, individuals can try different topical treatments to manage the symptoms of radiation dermatitis. Corticosteroid cream, for instance, has been shown to reduce itching and irritation caused by radiation dermatitis. Calendula ointment and silver sulfadiazine cream have also been linked to reducing some symptoms of the condition.
Further, individuals can try special dressings to manage their symptoms or take different oral medications. When it comes to dressings, silver leaf nylon dressings or hydrogel dressings are both effective at reducing pain and symptoms severity. Meanwhile, antibiotics, zinc, and amifostine promote immune function and reduce toxicity caused by radiation, thus improving radiation dermatitis symptoms.
Mary Kara Bucci 