Dermatological manifestations of arsenic exposure

Abstract

Arsenic is a toxic metal which is found ubiquitous in nature. The past decade has witnessed a significant increase in global arsenic contamination with reports of arsenic-induced toxicity from several regions. Arsenic exposure can be from natural, industrial, or medicinal sources. Of this, natural groundwater contamination tops the list. Arsenic in toxic doses can cause both acute and chronic ill effects on the human body. Cutaneous and neurological changes are the earliest and the most common manifestations of chronic arsenic toxicity and hence provide a clue to early diagnosis. Dermatological manifestations may be the presenting symptom and include pigmentary changes, nail manifestations, arsenic keratosis, changes affecting distal extremities, and cutaneous malignancies. There is no established specific treatment for arsenic toxicity, though chelating agents have been tried with varying results.