Early and late radiation-induced skin alterations. Part II: Nursing care of irradiated skin.

Teaching patients how to care for irradiated skin during and after a course of radiation therapy is a major concern of oncology nurses. Part I of this two-part article (ONF 19(5):801-807) focused on the mechanisms of skin injury. Many topical preparations are available for skin care. When these substances are applied, both the active ingredient and the vehicle must be appropriate for the condition being treated. Preparations may be applied to the skin as liquids (e.g., lotions, solutions, tinctures used in wet dressings, soaks, baths) or solids (e.g., powders, creams, ointments). As skin reaction progresses during a course of radiation therapy, recommendations for skin care will change. Healing of injury occurs in three stages: inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. Wound healing proceeds more rapidly in a moist environment, and a variety of occlusive dressings can be used with moist desquamation.