The Risk Factors, Treatment and Outlook for Radiation Sickness

Treatment. The treatment for radiation sickness begins with a person removing their clothing and receiving a special shower to wash away any radioactive contaminants that may be on their skin and hair. Next, they will receive a potassium iodine mixture, which is quickly absorbed by the thyroid gland. The reason that it is thought to work is because of the way that it prevents the thyroid from absorbing any radiation that may already be in the bloodstream. Finally, a person will receive medications that contain Prussian blue dye because they block the absorption of other specific kinds of radiation. If there have been any external injuries from the exposure to radiation, these may need to be treated too though, such as burns on the skin.