5 Things You Need to Know About Chloracne

1. A One-of-a-kind Acne

Chloracne is a rare acne that forms a few months after touching, inhaling or swallowing certain toxic chemical agents. It is, in fact, the only known effect linked directly to exposure to dioxins (also known as hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbons). Chloracne closely resembles normal acne like that suffered by many teenagers, complete with whiteheads and blackheads, but on a much different level than ordinary acne. Most at risk for chloracne are those who work with these toxic chemicals, though exposure to the environment due to an accident can lead to more widespread exposure and occurrence.

2. The Look of Chloracne

An early sign of chloracne is an excess of oil on the skin. This will be followed by an eruption of comedones (whiteheads and blackheads, both open and closed) as well as nodules and cysts. These lesions appear mostly on the face (usually on the cheeks), behind the ears, in the armpits and groin area, though in severe cases may be found on the arms, hands, legs and feet. The skin will often become thick and dry and may peel, or flake. The condition may also be marked by sweaty palms and soles, a change in skin pigmentation and blisters.

3. The Only Acne Caused by Man

Chloracne is the only type of acne caused by direct contact with man-made chemicals. The condition can be lined to exposure to halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons found in fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and wood preservatives. It is also directly related to overexposure to dioxins, which are chemical pollutants formed during either combustion processes such as garbage incineration or during industrial processes such as herbicide or insecticide manufacturing. Some of these dioxins include chlornaphthalene, polychlorbiphenyls and chlorobenzene.

4. Going Beyond the Skin

In some cases, chloracne does not only affect the skin. This condition can lead to other health issues such as sleep disturbance, neuropathies, hyperlipidemia (elevated blood fats), impotence and Type 2 diabetes. It may also affect the normal function of the liver. Some studies, though not entirely conclusive, have shown that overexposure to dioxins can increase the risk of some cancers (such as liver cancer and lymphoma) and also lead to birth defects.

5. Saving Your Skin

The effects of chlorance can be reversed, in months or some cases up to two years (longer in cases where the chemical continues to be released from fat cells), if exposure to the chemical agent is stopped. Other than that, treatment is much the same for chloracne as it is for other types of severe acne and skin conditions: a combination of oral antibiotics and isotretinoin, or retinoic acid (a derivative of vitamin A). Severe cysts and pustules may be removed surgically.