Pesticides and Skin Diseases in Man - Pesticides: Evaluation of Environmental Pollution - page 525

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Pesticides and Skin Diseases in Man
Radoslaw Spiewak
CONTENTS
16.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 525
16.2 Problems with Terminology............................................................................................. 526
16.3 Effects of Pesticides in the Skin ....................................................................................... 526
16.4 Pesticides and Autoimmunity ......................................................................................... 527
16.5 Pesticide-Related Skin Diseases....................................................................................... 528
16.5.1 Chemical Burns...................................................................................................... 528
16.5.2 Irritant Contact Dermatitis ................................................................................... 528
16.5.3 Phototoxic Contact Dermatitis ............................................................................. 528
16.5.4 Allergic Contact Dermatitis.................................................................................. 532
16.5.5 Photoallergic Contact Dermatitis ........................................................................ 533
16.5.6 Urticaria................................................................................................................... 533
16.5.7 Erythema Multiforme ........................................................................................... 533
16.5.8 Erythema Dyschromicum Perstans (Ashy Dermatosis) .................................. 533
16.5.9 Acne ......................................................................................................................... 533
16.5.10 Porphyria Cutanea Tarda ................................................................................... 534
16.5.11 Pigmentation Disorders...................................................................................... 534
16.5.12 Nail Disorders...................................................................................................... 534
16.5.13 Hair Disorders ..................................................................................................... 535
16.5.14 Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer ............................................................................... 535
16.5.15 Melanoma ............................................................................................................. 536
16.6 Concluding Remarks......................................................................................................... 536
Acknowledgment........................................................................................................................ 536
References..................................................................................................................................... 536
16.1 Introduction
The skin is the largest organ of the human body. With a surface area of 1.5-2 m 2 and
thickness of 0.5-5 mm, it amounts to 15% of the total body weight. Thanks to its com-
plexity and unique multilayer structure, this versatile organ forms an extremely effec-
tive barrier against a range of external factors—from solar irradiation to microbes
and from mechanical trauma to xenobiotics and irritants (Spiewak 1998). Its durabil-
ity is warranted by its continuous regeneration. The outermost layer of the skin—the
epidermis—is fully renewed every 3-4 weeks, a process referred to as “epidermal cycle.”
The function of an effective barrier between the internal environment and the external
influence is not the only purpose of the largest organ—the skin also takes active part
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