Nursing Progress article on the management of radiation damaged skin.




	Towards evidence-based care in the management of radiation damaged skin Amanda Kitchen Abstract: the Radiotherapy Practice Development Sister undertook a review of current skin care practices and the available evidence, research and products. Contents. Review. Principles. Recommended dressings and products. Products not recommended. Return to Nursing Progress contents list. Return to Issue 8 contents list Practice guidelines have been developed which includes a review of: The physiological effect of radiation on the skin. Current skin care practices. Existing evidence and research. Products currently available. Effective wound healing to underpin radiotherapy skin care products. This review revealed that a moderately moist wound environment within the radiotherapy field will promote patients' comfort and facilitate a faster repair of damaged skin, without interfering with the dosimetry of the radiotherapy treatment. Principles of practice underlying our nursing care of patients receiving radiotherapy and those patients who subsequently develop a reaction: To provide patients with effective informatio To promote patients' comfort and overall quality of lif To prevent further trauma or irritation of the epitheliu To provide the optimum wound healing environmen To ensure that the skin is in optimum condition during radiotherapy. To provide follow-up care and support. Back to contents Dressings and products recommended for use on skin receiving radiotherapy Pre-treatment Diprobase Simple soap Aqueous cream Erythema Diprobase Aqueous cream Geliperm sheet Intrasite gel Lyofoam/Allevyn Dry desquamation Diprobase (not if skin is broken) Aqueous cream Geliperm sheet Intrasite gel Lyofoam/Allervyn Moist desquamation Geliperm sheet Intrasite gel Lyofoam/Allevyn Mepital Ka Itostat Infected moist desquamation Flamazine (past treatment) NB: Need to manage exudate effectively without dehydrating wound and for dressing to be nonadherent to avoid trauma at dressing change. Back to contents Products not recommended for use on irradiated skin: Antiseptics Powders Adhesive tape/dressings Commercial skin care products Dry gauze Cotton wool Paraffin gauze Products not routinely recommended for use Hydrocortisone 1 % cream Back to Top Nursing Progress: Issue 8: May 2000. Copyright: Nursing Progress, Royal Hospitals NHS Trust Return to Nursing Progress contents list Return to Issue 8 contents list Page last updated by DEB on 23/4/02

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