Using a soft-silicone dressing to treat moist desquamation

Skin reactions are a common side effect of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy damages basal cells and skin reactions occur when the basal layer is unable to produce enough new cells to compensate for the loss of damaged cells at the skin's surface. Skin reactions progress from erythema, through dry desquamation to moist desquamation. As yet, there are no nationally recognised guidelines for the management of radiotherapy-induced skin reactions. As a result, there is widespread variation in practice throughout the UK. Hydrocolloid and hydrogel dressings have been used to treat moist desquamation. However, this article describes the successful clinical experience with an alternative dressing, Mepilex Lite®. The clinical evidence presented also raises the question of whether Mepilex Lite can be used prophylactically as an alternative to aqueous cream on grade 1 (erythema) reactions. Further evidence on this indication for Mepilex Lite will be published in a BJN supplement in November 2014.