Skin treatments phenol

Other phenol-containing products are used as chemical peels to remove skin lesions, and in the treatment of chronic pain or spasticity. These uses have occasionally been associated with adverse outcomes, like cardiac arrhythmias, that have been seen in both adults and children. 

Dermal absorption of phenol in the presence of various types of soil was measured in vitro using skin patches from pigs (Skowronski et al. 1994). Maximum phenol penetration occurred between 2 and 4 hours after treatment in all cases. Compared to samples with no soil present, the presence of sandy soil reduced the peak penetration by one-half, and the presence of clay soil reduced peak penetration by two-thirds. 

Hepatic Effects. An increase in serum iron, which may reflect an adverse liver effect, was observed in workers exposed for 6 months to phenol in a wood treatment liquid (Baj et al. 1994). Elevated concentrations of hepatic enzymes in serum, and an enlarged and tender liver suggestive of liver injury, were reported in an individual who had been exposed repeatedly to phenol vapor for 13.5 years (Merliss 1972). Since phenol was also spilled on his clothes resulting in skin irritation, dermal and inhalation exposures were involved. A 2-fold increase in serum bilirubin was observed in a man who was accidentally splashed with a phenol solution over his face, chest wall, hand, and both arms (Horch et al. 1994). Changes in liver enzymes were not observed in persons exposed to phenol in drinking water for several weeks after an accidental spill (Baker et al. 1978). This study is not conclusive because the measurements were completed 7 months after the exposure. 

Skin studies have indicated that phenol can act as a promotor following treatment with a polyaromatic hydrocarbon (Boutwell and Bosch 1959 Salaman and Glendenning 1957). These studies are limited because phenol was administered in benzene (Boutwell and Bosch 1959) or acetone (Salaman and Glendenning 1957). An additional dermal carcinogenicity study in which phenol is administered in water is necessary to predict the carcinogenicity of phenol following dermal exposure. 

A patient with an amoxycillin skin rash and pru-ritis, can be treated reasonably and safely with calamine and phenol solution topically. The use of topical steroids is also reasonable treatment. 

Phenol was tested for carcinogenicity by oral administration in drinking-water in one strain of mice and one strain of rats. No treatment-related increase in the incidence of tumours was observed in mice or in female rats. In male rats, an increase in the incidence of leukaemia was observed at the lower dose but not at the higher dose. Phenol was tested extensively in the two-stage mouse skin model and showed promoting activity (lARC, 1989). 

Decontamination and Treatment Administer oxygen and remove the animal from the toxic environment. For ocular exposures, flush eyes with copious amounts of tepid 0.9% saline or water for at least 15 min. Wash all animals three times with either soap and water, dilute bleach solution (1 10 with water), ethanol, or a tincture of green soap (Cancio, 1993). Towelettes impregnated with alkaline chloramine and phenol are used by the mihtary (M291 Skin Decontaminating Kit, Rohm and Haas). 

In humans the treatment of skin lesions is mostly symptomatic. Pruritus is a common problem among SM-exposed veterans. A number of treatments like antihistamines, local anesthetics, and corticosteroids are prescribed in order to control pruritus in Iranian patients. When Unna s Boot (a gauze bandage impregnated with glycerine, zinc oxide, and calamine lotion) and betamethasone were compared for the treatment of pruritis, Unna s Boot showed better results (Shohrati et al, 2007a). SM-induced pruritis in chemical warfare-injured veterans was treated with phenol (1%) and menthol (1%), and this combination significantly reduced the pruritis in comparison to placebo (Panahi et al, 2007). 

Panahi, Y., Davoodi, S.M., Khalili, H., Dashti-Khavidaki, S., Bigdeli, M. (2007). Phenol and menthol in the treatment of chronic skin lesions following mustard gas exposure. Singapore Med. J. 48 392-5. 

---