Radiation burn: Difference between revisions
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= Radiation | {{SI}} | ||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
[[File: | | name = Radiation burn | ||
| image = [[File:Fluoroscopy_burn.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = A radiation burn caused by [[fluoroscopy]] | |||
| synonyms = [[Radiation dermatitis]] | |||
| field = [[Dermatology]], [[Radiology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Redness]], [[blistering]], [[peeling skin]], [[ulceration]] | |||
| complications = [[Infection]], [[chronic pain]], [[scarring]], [[skin cancer]] | |||
| onset = Minutes to hours after exposure, can be delayed | |||
| duration = Days to weeks, chronic cases may persist | |||
| causes = [[Ionizing radiation]] exposure | |||
| risks = [[Radiation therapy]], [[nuclear accidents]], [[radiological procedures]] | |||
| diagnosis = Clinical evaluation, [[biopsy]] | |||
| differential = [[Thermal burn]], [[chemical burn]], [[sunburn]] | |||
| prevention = Limiting exposure, protective shielding, monitoring radiation doses | |||
| treatment = [[Wound care]], [[topical steroids]], [[pain management]], [[surgery]] | |||
| prognosis = Varies, can be severe in high-dose exposures | |||
| frequency = Rare, more common in medical settings | |||
}} | |||
'''Radiation burns''' are injuries to the skin or other biological tissue caused by exposure to radiation. The sources of radiation can be varied, including X-rays, radium, sunlight (UV radiation), and radiation from atomic or nuclear reactions. Radiation burns are a serious health concern that can result from medical treatments, occupational exposure, accidental exposure, or even prolonged exposure to natural sunlight. | '''Radiation burns''' are injuries to the skin or other biological tissue caused by exposure to radiation. The sources of radiation can be varied, including X-rays, radium, sunlight (UV radiation), and radiation from atomic or nuclear reactions. Radiation burns are a serious health concern that can result from medical treatments, occupational exposure, accidental exposure, or even prolonged exposure to natural sunlight. | ||
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== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
Radiation burns can be caused by: | Radiation burns can be caused by: | ||
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* Atomic or nuclear radiation from accidents or exposure to radioactive materials | * Atomic or nuclear radiation from accidents or exposure to radioactive materials | ||
* Other types of radiant energy, including laser and microwave radiation | * Other types of radiant energy, including laser and microwave radiation | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
Symptoms of radiation burns vary depending on the radiation source and exposure duration but can include: | Symptoms of radiation burns vary depending on the radiation source and exposure duration but can include: | ||
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* Hair loss at the exposure site | * Hair loss at the exposure site | ||
* Fatigue and weakness if systemic exposure occurs | * Fatigue and weakness if systemic exposure occurs | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
Diagnosis of radiation burns involves: | Diagnosis of radiation burns involves: | ||
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* Blood tests to assess for radiation sickness in cases of systemic exposure | * Blood tests to assess for radiation sickness in cases of systemic exposure | ||
* Imaging tests to determine underlying tissue damage | * Imaging tests to determine underlying tissue damage | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Treatment for radiation burns depends on the severity of the burn and may include: | Treatment for radiation burns depends on the severity of the burn and may include: | ||
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* Surgical intervention for severe burns, including skin grafts | * Surgical intervention for severe burns, including skin grafts | ||
* Management of systemic symptoms if radiation sickness has occurred | * Management of systemic symptoms if radiation sickness has occurred | ||
== Prevention == | == Prevention == | ||
Prevention of radiation burns is critical, especially for individuals in high-risk occupations or undergoing medical treatments involving radiation: | Prevention of radiation burns is critical, especially for individuals in high-risk occupations or undergoing medical treatments involving radiation: | ||
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* Proper shielding of radioactive materials | * Proper shielding of radioactive materials | ||
* Adhering to safety protocols in medical and industrial settings | * Adhering to safety protocols in medical and industrial settings | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Sunburn]] | * [[Sunburn]] | ||
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* [[Radiation sickness]] | * [[Radiation sickness]] | ||
* [[Skin grafting]] | * [[Skin grafting]] | ||
== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
* [https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/arsphysicianfactsheet.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Acute Radiation Syndrome] | * [https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/arsphysicianfactsheet.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Acute Radiation Syndrome] | ||
* [https://www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/about/medical_exposure/en/index1.html World Health Organization - Radiation in Medicine] | * [https://www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/about/medical_exposure/en/index1.html World Health Organization - Radiation in Medicine] | ||
[[Category:Radiology]] | [[Category:Radiology]] | ||
[[Category:Dermatology]] | [[Category:Dermatology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:59, 8 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Radiation burn | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Radiation dermatitis |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Redness, blistering, peeling skin, ulceration |
| Complications | Infection, chronic pain, scarring, skin cancer |
| Onset | Minutes to hours after exposure, can be delayed |
| Duration | Days to weeks, chronic cases may persist |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Ionizing radiation exposure |
| Risks | Radiation therapy, nuclear accidents, radiological procedures |
| Diagnosis | Clinical evaluation, biopsy |
| Differential diagnosis | Thermal burn, chemical burn, sunburn |
| Prevention | Limiting exposure, protective shielding, monitoring radiation doses |
| Treatment | Wound care, topical steroids, pain management, surgery |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Varies, can be severe in high-dose exposures |
| Frequency | Rare, more common in medical settings |
| Deaths | N/A |
Radiation burns are injuries to the skin or other biological tissue caused by exposure to radiation. The sources of radiation can be varied, including X-rays, radium, sunlight (UV radiation), and radiation from atomic or nuclear reactions. Radiation burns are a serious health concern that can result from medical treatments, occupational exposure, accidental exposure, or even prolonged exposure to natural sunlight.
Causes[edit]
Radiation burns can be caused by:
- X-ray exposure in medical imaging or therapy
- Exposure to radium or other radioactive materials
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from prolonged sunlight exposure
- Atomic or nuclear radiation from accidents or exposure to radioactive materials
- Other types of radiant energy, including laser and microwave radiation
Symptoms[edit]
Symptoms of radiation burns vary depending on the radiation source and exposure duration but can include:
- Redness and irritation of the skin
- Blistering and peeling
- Ulceration in severe cases
- Hair loss at the exposure site
- Fatigue and weakness if systemic exposure occurs
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of radiation burns involves:
- Patient history to determine potential radiation exposure
- Physical examination of the affected area
- Blood tests to assess for radiation sickness in cases of systemic exposure
- Imaging tests to determine underlying tissue damage
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for radiation burns depends on the severity of the burn and may include:
- Topical treatments to manage skin symptoms
- Pain management medications
- Antibiotics to prevent or treat infection
- Surgical intervention for severe burns, including skin grafts
- Management of systemic symptoms if radiation sickness has occurred
Prevention[edit]
Prevention of radiation burns is critical, especially for individuals in high-risk occupations or undergoing medical treatments involving radiation:
- Use of protective clothing and equipment
- Limiting exposure duration
- Proper shielding of radioactive materials
- Adhering to safety protocols in medical and industrial settings
