The amount of radiation damage remaining in mouse foot skin has been assessed by retreatment from 10 days to 6 months after a range of first doses. The acute skin reaction was used as the endpoint. Mice hind feet were first irradiated with a range of single doses (15-37.5 Gy) covering zero to near full effect. Feet were retreated with a full range of single doses together with groups of non-previously treated age-matched control mice. No age-related changes in radiation sensitivity were observed. Dose-response curves were constructed for all retreatment times for each priming dose, and isoeffect doses were calculated for both peak and average skin reactions. If 2-6 months were allowed to elapse before retreatment, the skin could be reirradiated as if it were previously untreated. However, if only 1 month was allowed to pass before retreatment, damage was 'remembered' after all first doses. The amount of damage 'remembered' in terms of dose was 11 Gy after a first dose of 37.5 Gy, and was less after the lower first doses.