Sulfur mustard (2,2-dichlorodiethyl sulfide, SM) is one of the vesicant classes of chemical warfare agents that causes blistering in the skin and mucous membranes, where it can have lingering long-term effects for up to ten years (1). SM was employed extensively by the Iraqi army against not only Iranian soldiers but also civilians between 1983 and 1988, resulting in over 100,000 chemical casualties. Approximately 45,000 victims are still suffering from long-term effects of exposure (2,3). More than 90% of the patients exposed to SM exhibit various cutaneous lesions in the affected area. The human skin can absorb approximately 20% of the SM through exposure. Up to 70% of the chemical is concentrated in the epidermis and the remainder in the basement membrane and in the dermis (4).Sulfur mustard exists in different physical states. The liquid form of SM evaporates slowly in cold weather and can penetrate through the clothing, thereby increasing exposure. However, the gas form readily diffuses in the air and it can be inhaled, leading to systemic absorption. In addition, warm temperatures are ideal conditions that liquid SM present in the clothing of the exposed individual could be converted to gas form. SM-induced clinical cutaneous symptoms include itching and burning. Other clinical findings include erythema or painless sunburn, bulla, hypo- and hyper pigmentation in both exposed and unexposed areas (5,6) The mechanism and biochemical cascade of SM-induced cutaneous manifestations are not completely understood but several published pathways support many of the know facts. Our current understanding fails to explain the time interval between the acute chemical exposure and the late-onset and delayed tissue damage (7,8). The aim of this article is to review the acute and long-term cutaneous findings resulting from SM exposure. Also, cellular and molecular mechanism involved in SM-induced skin pathology have been discussed.
Background: Albinos in Africa are at constant risk of developing skin cancer due to the damage caused by ultra-violet exposure. This study identifies the common skin conditions among albinos in Kenya as a country located along the equator.
Methods: In this descriptive study on albino patients who were admitted to Mbagathi District Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya the census method was used for sampling and a total of 151 albinos were registered. All necessary data including age, gender, type, site and the number of skin lesions were recorded. Suspected patients with malignant and premalignant lesions were studied individually through skin biopsy and histopathological investigation. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: Albinos with serious skin lesions were 121(80%) patients. Females were 64 (52.9%). The frequency of the following premalignant and malignant skin lesions including actinic-cheilitis, solar elastosis, actinic keratosis (AK), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were 17.88%, 11.92%, 37.08%, 7.94% and 5.29%, respectively. Hands (20.52%), face (19.20%), head (18.18%), shoulder (14.56%) and neck (7.94%) were the most affected areas by malignant and premalignant lesions.
Conclusions: BCC was the most common type of cutaneous malignancy on the face and shoulders while AK was the most common cutaneous pre-malignancy on the hands and face in albinos in Kenya. Therefore, appropriate physical protection, avoiding any trauma when carrying sharp, heavy or rough instruments by the shoulder and hands, and finally urgent and quality treatment for any lesion even a small erosion and ulcer, especially on exposed areas in albinos, are recommended.
The requirement for preparedness in the dermatological community concerning SM exposure is underlined. Novel treatments for prevention and therapeutics against SM toxicity and carcinogenicity are reviewed.
Mustard induced dermaltologic lesions were more common and specific than (NA) skin injuries. (NA) cause few psychocutaneous disorders like acne and seborrheic dermatitis in addition to psychological stress disorders.
COVID toes or chilblain-like skin lesions represent a widespread and specific skin presentation mostly in the feet that may be attributed to COVID-19 infection.They may last for several months. We conducted this study to investigate chilblainlike lesions in children during the COVID-19 pandemic, any predisposition, location, clinical course, and prognosis. We searched Google Scholar, Scopus, and Medline (PubMed) databases using the following keywords: "Coronavirus" OR "COVID-19" AND "Chilblains" OR "Pernio" OR "Perniosis" OR "Children" OR "Cutaneous" OR "skin." The inclusion criteria were: (a) Studies that described the specific vascular skin lesion. (b) Studies that included patients aged >1 month till 18 years. (c) Case reports, case series, retrospective or prospective cohort studies, case-control studies. A total of 28 articles were included. The total number of children with chiblain-like lesions (CLL) was 433. The mean age of children presenting CLL during the COVID-19 pandemic was estimated as 12.58 ± 2.15. Of note, 53.6% of them were male. The nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were mostly negative for the virus. In conclusion, it is crucial to be familiar with various presentations of COVID-19 infection and their clinical significance to approach the earliest diagnosis, immediate treatment, estimate the prognosis, and finally isolate the patients to prevent spreading. Chilblainlike lesions as a possible cutaneous presentation of COVID-19 in children may last several months with the indolent course.
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