ABSTRACT
The normal skin consists of the surface epithelium or epidermis and the underlying connective tissue or dermis. The degree of radiation effect on skin depends upon several variables; radiation dose, quality of radiation, time over which the dose is administered, size of the field, and anatomic location, among other variables. The chronic effects of radiation on skin are seen in striking form in the so-called chronic radiation dermatitis caused by long-term repeated exposures to low levels of radiation, usually occupational exposures. The color of the skin depends on three factors under normal conditions: the inherent predominantly yellow color; the vasculature of the dermis, which provides a reddish component; and the amount of melanin in the epidermis, which determines the degree of brown color. In the hypertrophic epidermis there is hyperkeratosis, the epidermis is thicker than normal, the folds are exaggerated, and there is partial or complete depilation.
