Radiation-induced acute and chronic skin changes

Acute skin effects (hours to weeks)		Chronic skin effects (months to years)
Description	Dose (Gy)	Description	Dose (Gy)
Erythema/hyperpigmentation	2 to 20	Delayed ulceration	>45
Epilation	6 to 10	Dermal necrosis	>45
Dry desquamation	20 to 25	Fibrosis	>45
Moist desquamation	30 to 40	Telangiectasia	>45
Ulceration	>40

References:

Mendelsohn FA, Divino CM, Reis ED, Kerstein MD. Wound care after radiation therapy. Adv Skin Wound Care 2002; 15:216.
Jensen JM, Gau T, Schultze J, et al. Treatment of Acute Radiodermatitis with an Oil-in-Water Emulsion Following Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer: A Controlled, Randomized Trial. Strahlenther Onkol 2011; 187:378.
Schmuth M, Sztankay A, Weinlich G, et al. Permeability barrier function of skin exposed to ionizing radiation. Arch Dermatol 2001; 137:1019.
Bridges BA, Adam A, Holt D, et al. High dose radiation effects and tissue injury: Report of the independent advisory group on ionizing radiation. In: Radiation, chemical, and environmental hazards, Elsevier, Chilton 2009.
Brown KR, Rzucidlo E. Acute and chronic radiation injury. J Vasc Surg 2011; 53:15S.

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