Pustular irritant contact dermatitis

A chlorinated hydrocarbon used as a detergent or solvent for metals, oils, resins, sulfur and as genral degreasing agent. It can cause irritant contact dermatitis, generalized exanthema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, pustular or bullous eruption and scleroderma. 

Cytotoxic and hemolytic activity has been obtained from the sponge Pachy-matisma johnstonii 63). Debromoaplysiatoxin, which causes contact dermatitis and a pustular folliculitis in humans and severe inflammation in rabbits, is one of the most potent skin irritants known 64). 

Tincture of iodine is a primary irritant and should be tested by the open method. Patch tests with iodine and potassium iodide may result in a nonspecific papulo-pustular reaction which must be differentiated from a contact allergic response. Patch tests with potassium iodide have been used in the diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) but the frequency and type of reactions expected in DH patients is neither sensitive nor specific. l,3-diodo-2-hydroxypropane, a white tincture of iodine used in Denmark for first aid, caused contact dermatitis in one patient (Hjorth 1972). He had a strong positive patch test, while 20 controls were negative. Contact allergy to iodine itself may exist, but has not been documented. 

Shelly WB, Epstein E (1963) Contact-sensitivity to gold as a chronic papular eruption. Arch Dermatol 87 388-391 Shmunes E (1978) Purpuric allergic contact dermatitis to para-phenylenediamine. Contact Dermatitis 4 225-229 Stone OJ, Johnson DA (1967) Pustular patch test - experimentally induced. Arch Dermatol 95 618-619 Wahlberg JE, Maibach HI (1981) Sterile cutaneous pustules - a manifestation of primary irritancy J Invest Dermatol 76 381-383... 

A. /.oca/—Trivalent arsenic compounds are corrosive to the skin. Brief contact has no effect but prolonged contact results in a local hyperemia and later vesicular or pustular eruption. The moist mucous membranes are most sensitive to the irritant action. Conjunctiva, moist and macerated areas of skin, the eyelids, the angles of the ears, nose, mouth, and respiratory mucosa are also vulnerable to the irritant effects. The wrists are common sites of dermatitis, as are the genitalia if personal hygiene is poor. Perforations of the nasal septum may occur. Arsenic trioxide and pentoxide are capable of producing skin sensitization and contact dermatitis. Arsenic is also capable of producing keratoses, especially of the palms and soles. 

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