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Disorders of the Skin

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Principles and Practice of Environmental Medicine

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Abstract

By providing a barrier between the body and its physical, chemical, and biological environment, the skin functions as one of the protective organs of the body. Although its barrier properties are impressive, the skin provides a portal of entry and a vulnerable target for many environmental chemicals. There can be, for example, sufficient percutaneous absorption of such substances as aniline dye, cyanide salts, numerous solvents, organophosphates, and other insecticides to produce toxic symptoms (55). Direct exposure of the skin to the vast number of environmental chemicals can result in a wide range of adverse responses. This chapter discusses the adverse effects of such exposure on the skin.

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Recommended Readings

  • Adams RM (ed.): Occupational Skin Disease, 2nd ed, WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1990.

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  • Fisher AA: Contact Dermatitis, 3rd ed., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, 1986.

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  • Maibach HI (ed.): Occupational and Industrial Dermatology, 2nd ed., Year Book Medical Publisher, Chicago, 1987.

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Authors
  1. Ronald C. Wester
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  2. Howard I. Maibach
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA

    Alyce Bezman Tarcher M.D.

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Wester, R.C., Maibach, H.I. (1992). Disorders of the Skin. In: Tarcher, A.B. (eds) Principles and Practice of Environmental Medicine. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2447-6_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2447-6_15

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