Halogenodermas are skin eruptions that result after exposure to

halogen The halogens () are a group in the periodic table consisting of five or six chemically related elements: fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), astatine (At), and tennessine (Ts). In the modern IUPAC nomenclature, this group is ...

-containing drugs or substances. This may last several weeks after drug use is discontinued. This is because of the slow elimination rate of

iodides An iodide ion is the ion I−. Compounds with iodine in formal oxidation state −1 are called iodides. In everyday life, iodide is most commonly encountered as a component of iodized salt, which many governments mandate. Worldwide, iodine defic ...

and bromides. Fluoroderma is a particular type of halogenoderma which is caused by

fluoride Fluoride (). According to this source, is a possible pronunciation in British English. is an inorganic, monatomic anion of fluorine, with the chemical formula (also written ), whose salts are typically white or colorless. Fluoride salts typ ...

Fluoride Fluoride (). According to this source, is a possible pronunciation in British English. is an inorganic, monatomic anion of fluorine, with the chemical formula (also written ), whose salts are typically white or colorless. Fluoride salts typ ...

is present in oral hygiene products such as toothpastes and mouth washes, hence this type of acne is seen mostly around the mouth and jawline. Acute fluoroderma has been observed in patients exposed to anaesthetics containing

such as

sevoflurane Sevoflurane, sold under the brand name Sevorane, among others, is a sweet-smelling, nonflammable, highly fluorinated methyl isopropyl ether used as an inhalational anaesthetic for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. After desflura ...

Signs and symptoms

The most common presentation of halogenoderma is

pustules A skin condition, also known as cutaneous condition, is any medical condition that affects the integumentary system—the organ system that encloses the body and includes skin, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of this sy ...

papulopustular A papulopustular condition is a condition composed of both papule and pustules.thefreedictionary.com > papulopustularciting: *The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007 *Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009 * Miller-Kea ...

lesions, which are often found on the face, neck, back, and limbs. In some cases, halogenoderma manifests as large vegetating lesions as opposed to pustular eruption.

Cause

Exposure to halogens, such as iodide and bromide (also known as iododerma and bromoderma, respectively), can cause halogenoderma.

Mechanism

It is still unclear what causes halogenoderma specifically. It's thought that a type 2 delayed hypersensitivity reaction is what causes it.

Treatment

Iodide and bromide-containing substances should be avoided when treating halogenoderma. Lesions typically go away on their own four to six weeks after iodide or bromide intake is stopped. It is possible to use systemic

corticosteroids Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones. Two main classes of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, are involve ...

to help these lesions heal more quickly.

References

External links