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Cutaneous radiation injury : fact sheet for physicians

Flag for USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on July 27th 2005
Injury to the skin and underlying tissues from acute exposure to a large external dose of radiation is referred to as cutaneous radiation injury (CRI). Acute radiation syndrome (ARS)1 will usually be accompanied by some skin damage; however, CRI can occur without symptoms of ARS. This is especially true with acute exposures to beta radiation or low-energy x-rays, because beta radiation and low-energy x-rays are less penetrating and less likely to damage internal organs than gamma radiation is. CRI can occur with radiation doses as low as 2 Gray (Gy) or 200 rads2 and the severity of CRI symptoms will increase with increasing doses. Most cases of CRI have occurred when people inadvertently came in contact with unsecured radiation sources from food irradiators, radiotherapy equipment, or well depth gauges. In addition, cases of CRI have occurred in people who were overexposed to x-radiation from fluoroscopy units.

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Related SDGs

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being ...
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Target 3.4

Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being

Citations

Cited by 3 other policy documents (2 of them are from other policy sources)