What Are the Treatments for Radiation Burns?

Burns require classification from a medical doctor. Although burns may be classified as minor by a medical doctor, they can still cause discomfort to the person experiencing them. There are specific charts that are used to analyze the types of burn and percentages of the body involved. Minor burns are first-degree burns, such as a minor sunburn in which the skin is pink but not blistered. It involves less than 10 percent of the body. With moderate and severe burns, extremities are involved as well as a bubbling of the skin along with each part of the body suffering a blistering area. Radiation burns can be caused by radiation therapy treatment for cancer to a specific area or they can be caused by accidental exposure to radioactive material. The severity of the radiation burn will determine the treatment the doctor will use.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat severe radiation burns because of the increased need for nutrients and the need to generate healing quickly because of possible surgery to remove a malignancy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works as the pressure within the hyperbaric tank presses upon the vessels and saturates the plasma in the blood. This causes an increased amount of oxygen flow and increases the healing process. It also generates new skin cells among the debreaded ones.

Intravenous Therapy

Intravenous therapy is used for severe radiation burns because the body may become dehydrated. This loss of fluids is due to the exposed, burned skin and increased body temperature. Fluids are pumped into the body to help keep the patient hydrated and to speed recovery.

Cool Compresses

Cool compresses as well as good skin care will be needed for a radiation burn site after therapy for a malignancy. Cool compresses are applied to the affected areas to help the healing process and to relieve some of the burning feeling patients may experience.

Pain Medications

Pain medications are a must to treat the discomfort associated with the radiation burn. Anything from ibuprofen to morphine may be administered, depending on the severity of the burns. Lesser burns may be treated with over-the-counter drugs, but doctors may prescribe more serious pain medications for higher levels of pain.

Debridement

Debridement of the radiation burn site as well as antibiotic therapy will be used to treat the radiation burn area. Infection also may occur with radiation burns and needs to be treated to prevent further complications from the radiated burn site.