Skip to main content

Military Personnel

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Kanerva’s Occupational Dermatology

Abstract

Contact dermatitis is common in military personnel with an incidence of 9.6–32%.

Occupational contact dermatitis may be due to oils, fuels, and solvents, explosives; munitions and fuses; combat gases; weapons and arms; and paints and detergents.

Environmental contact dermatitis may be due to plants or insect bites.

Other causes for allergic contact dermatitis include clothing and other accessories, drugs, repellents, and antiperspirants.

Intentional damage to the skin for obtaining secondary psychological gains is well known in soldiers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adams RM (1990) Occupational skin disease, 2nd edn. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Amichai B, Lazarov A, Halevy S (1994) Contact dermatitis from diethyltoluamide. Contact Dermatitis 30:188

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bergman BB (1952) Tetryl toxicity: summary of ten year’s experience. Arch Ind Hyg 5:10–20

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brenner S, Landau M, Goldberg I (1998) Contact dermatitis with systemic symptoms from Agava americana. Dermatology 196:408–411

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brodkin RH, Schwartz RA (1984) Cutaneous signs of dioxin exposure. Am Fam Physician 30:189–194

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christmas TI, Nicholls D, Holloway BA, Grieg D (1987) Blister beetle dermatosis in New Zealand. N Z Med J 100:515–517

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christnach E (1917) Uber Pikrinsaurevergiftung im Anschluss an einen Fall gewerblicher Vergiftung aus einem Sprengstoffbetrieb. Med Dissertation, Bonn

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen AD, Vardy DA (2006) Dermatitis artefacta in soldiers. Mil Med 171:497–499

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coomber RB (1947) Dermatitis from contact with varnish of Japanese rifles. Arch Dermatol 55:110–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Croft A, Smith H, Creamer I (1996) A pseudo-outbreak of skin disease in British troops. J R Soc Med 89:552–556

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cronin E (1980) Contact dermatitis. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies JHT, Barker A (1944) Textile dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 56:33–43

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Groot AC (1994) Patch testing test concentrations and vehicles for 3700 chemicals, 2nd edn. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietel F (1933) Ekzem nach Einwirkung von chloracetophenon. Med Klin 29:1208

    Google Scholar 

  • Dursteler BB, Nyquist RA (2004) Outbreak of rove beetle (Staphylinid) pustular contact dermatitis in Pakistan among deployed U.S. personnel. Mil Med 169:57–60

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eissner H, Liebeskind H (1964) Dermatitis durch chloracetophenon. Z Haut u Geschl Kr 37:143–152

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elmer KB, George RM (1999) Contact urticaria to the MCU-2A/P gas mask. Mil Med 164:377–378

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • English JC III, Fano-Schultz J (1994) Dermatological manifestations in a tropical training environment: emphasis for the general medical officer. Mil Med 159:606–608

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fai FY, Lee L (1996) Perception and use of insect repellent among soldiers in the Singapore armed forces. Mil Med 161:113–116

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foussereau J (1991) Guide de dermato-allergologie professionelle. Mason, Paris, pp 347–367

    Google Scholar 

  • Foussereau J, Maleville J, Petitjean M, Basset A (1968) L’Allergie de contact au clophenoxyde les reactions croisees avec l’w-chloracetophenone. Bull Soc Fr Dermatol Syphiligr 75:124–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Foussereau J, Benezra C, Maibach HI (1982) Occupational contact dermatitis. Munksgaard, Copenhagen

    Google Scholar 

  • Frazier CA (1976) Contact allergy to mace. JAMA 236:2526

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fregert S (1981) Manual of contact dermatitis, 2nd edn. Munksgaard, Copenhagen

    Google Scholar 

  • Fregert S, Gruvberger B, Goransson K, Normark S (1978) Allergic contact dermatitis from chromate in military textiles. Contact Dermatitis 4:223–224

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman T, Shalom A, Westreich M (2006) Self-inflicted garlic burns: our experience and literature review. Int J Dermatol 45:1161–1163

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frost J, Hjorth N (1959) Contact dermatitis from hydrazine hydrochloride in soldering fluid. Cross sensitization to apresoline and isoniazid. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh) 39:82–86

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gall H (1979) Toxisches Kontaktekzem auf die quaternare Ammoniumverbindung Benzalkoniumchlorid. Dermatosen 27:139–140

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gall H, Kempf E (1982) Kontaktallergie auf das lokale Antiperspsirant Propanthelinbromide. Dermatosen 30:55–57

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert J (1944) Contact dermatitis from rubber gas mask. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2:339

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein N (1968) “KP” dermatitis. J Occup Environ Med 10:423–425

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goon AT, Goh CL (2001) Occupational skin diseases in national servicemen and military personnel in Singapore, 198901999. Contact Dermatitis 44:89–90

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gougerot H, Carteaud A (1952) Poudres et explosifs. In: Les dermatoses professionnelles. Maloine, Paris, pp 294–297

    Google Scholar 

  • Grabowska H, Policha B, Ejmont B (1976) Alergia kontaktowa (stykowa), czynniki usposabiajace I rehabilitcja u chorych leczonych w klinice dermatologicznej IKP WAM. Przegl Dermatol 6(Suppl):201–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Hellier FF (1960) Dermatitis purpurica nach Kontakt mit Texilgeweben. Hautarzt 11:173–174

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgson G, Hellier FF (1946) Dermatitis caused by shirts in B.L.A. J R Army Med Corps 87:110–117

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoeffler DF (1975) Friction blisters and cellulitis in a navy recruit population. Mil Med 140:333–337

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holland P, White RG (1972) The cutaneous reactions produced by o-chlorobenzyl-idenmalononitrile and w-chloroacetophenone when applied directly to the skin of human subjects. Br J Dermatol 86:150–154

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • James WD, White SW (1984) Allergic contact dermatitis to compound tincture of benzoin. J Am Acad Dermatol 11:847–850

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joltrain M, Hissard R, Boulard E (1939) Accident observes chez des ouvriers d’une cartoucherie. Bull Acad Natl Med 122:629–699

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan B, Schewach-Millet M, Yorav S (1990) Factitial dermatitis by application of garlic. Int J Dermatol 29:75–76

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kissin M, Mazer M (1944) Cutaneous hypersensitivity to tear gas (chloracetophenone). Bull US Army Med Dep 81:120–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Knapik J, Reynolds K, Staab J, Vogel JA, Jones B (1992) Injuries associated with strenuous road marching. Mil Med 157:64–67

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Labernadie (1918) Dermite due au port du masque M2. Ann Dermatol Venereol 7:90–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamberg SI, Mulrennan JA (1969) Bullous reaction to diethyl toluamide (DEET) resembling a blistering insect eruption. Arch Dermatol 100:582–586

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lazar MP (1953) Allergic eczematous contact-type dermatitis due to “pro-kit” contents. US Armed Forces Med J 4:1363–11365

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leider M, Furman D, Fisher AA (1952) Sensitivity to rubber materials. Arch Dermatol 65:587–595

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lewe IA (1943) Contact dermatitis from rubber service mask. JAMA 12:422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Livingwood CS, Rogers AM, Fitz-Hugh T (1943) Dhobie mark dermatitis. JAMA 123:23–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacKinlay R (1938) Vesicular dermatitis due to wild parsnip. J R Army Med Corps 71:401–404

    Google Scholar 

  • Maibach HI, Marzulli FN (1971) Allergic sensitization potential of riot control lacrimants. Human draize test. Contact Dermatitis Newsl 5:209

    Google Scholar 

  • Marceron L (1940) Erytheme retarde observe apres contact avec des produits nitres de la serie cyclique. Bull Soc Fr Dermatol Syphiligr 47:235–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Markby DP, Brooks G, Evans AT, Evans FJ (1989) Chechum (poison sap tree) toxin, a potent activator of protein kinase C (letter). Lancet 1(8650):1320

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meijer C, Bredberg M, Fischer T, Widstrom L (1995) Ear piercing, and nickel and cobalt sensitization, in 520 young Swedish men doing compulsory military service. Contact Dermatitis 32:147–149

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Naidenov IN (1980) Clinical apsects and prevention of dermatitides from chemical exposure (in Russian). Voen Med Zh 3:63–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Natrop KHE, Pinzer B, Hornk K (1975) Hautschaden Tranengas. [Skin lesions due to tear gas]. Dermatol Monatschr 161:678–680

    Google Scholar 

  • Olumide Y (1987) Contact dermatitis in Nigeria. Contact Dermatitis 17:139–141

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oumeish OY, Rushaidat QM (1980) Contact dermatitis to military boots in Jordan. Contact Dermatitis 6:498

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson KA, Portouw SJ (1991) The hazards of operational diving in heavily oil-polluted water. J R Nav Med Serv 77:159–164

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pierard J, Legros A, Delmotie A (1947) Dermite toxique a forme purpurique due a l’usage de certain produits textiles. Arch Belg Dermatol 3:232–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope RW, Hill JC, Blaskis MG (1995) Contact urticaria to the M17 protective mask. Mil Med 160:536–537

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Qadripur SA, Grunder K (1975) Kasuistischer Beitrag uber eine Gruppenerkrankung mit Photodermaitits bullosa striata pratensis (Oppenheim). [Case contribution on a group affliction with photodermatitis bullosa striata pratensis] (Oppenheim). Hautarzt 26:495–497

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Queen FB, Stander T (1941) Allergic dermatitis following exposure to tear gas (chloracetophenone). JAMA 117:1879

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Querangal des Essarts J (1955) Les dermatoses professionnelles dans les arsenaux et etablissements, industriels des forces armees. Bull Soc Franc Dermatol Syphiligr 62:112–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Requena L, Requena C, Sanchez M, Jacueti G, Aguilar A, Sanchez-Yus E, Hernandez-Moro B (1988) Chemical warfare. Cutaneous lesions from mustard gas. J Am Acad Dermatol 19:529–536

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reuveni H, Yagupsky P (1982) Dithyltoluamide-containing insect repellant. Arch Dermatol 118:582–583

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rietschel RL, Fowler JF Jr (1995) Fisher’s contact dermatitis. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 609–626

    Google Scholar 

  • Russel PF (1964) Introduction. In: Hoff EC (ed) Preventive medicine in world war II. Communicable disease, vol 6. Office of the Surgeon General, US Department of the Army, Washington, DC, pp 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Rycroft RJG, Menne T, Frosch PJ, Benezra C (1992) Textbook of contact dermatitis. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz L (1944) Dermatitis from explosives. JAMA 125:186–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scutt RWB (1966) Chrome sensitivity associated with tropical footwear in the Royal Navy. Br J Dermatol 78:337–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seidenari S, Manzini BM, Danese P, Motolese A (1990) Patch and prick test study of 593 healthy subjects. Contact Dermatitis 23:162–167

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sequeira JH, Ingram JT, Brain RT (1947) Diseases of the skin. Churchill, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaposhnikov OK (1973) Prevention of dermatitis in sailors (in Russian). Voen Med Zh 7:77–79

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slodownik D, Wohl Y, Mansura A, Moshe S, Sarbagil-Maman H, Shochat T, Levi Y, Brenner S, Ingber A (2006) Allergic contact dermatitis among maintenance and clerical workers in a military population. Contact Dermatitis 55:335–337

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Soto J, Medina F, Dember N, Berman J (1995) Efficacy of permethrin-impregnated uniforms in the prevention of malaria and leishmaniasis in Colombian soldiers. Clin Infect Dis 21:599–602

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stepanenko NI (1973) Causes of eczematization of dermatoses (in Russian). Voen Med Zh 12:68–69

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sulzberger MB, Baer RL, Kanof A, Lowenberg C (1947) Skin sensitization to vesicant agents of chemical warfare. J Invest Dermatol 8:365–393

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wohl Y, Freidman T, Brenner S, Bar Dayan Y (2007) Screening for common dermatologic disorders amongst Israeli adolescents. Int J Dermatol 46:1046–1049

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf R, Movshowitz M, Brenner S (1994) Contact dermatitis in Israeli soldiers. J Toxicol Environ Health 43:7–11

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf R, Movshowitz M, Brenner S (1996) Supplemental tests in the evaluation of occupational hand dermatitis in soldiers. Int J Dermatol 35:173–176

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong K, Ng SK, Goh CL (1994) Grass allergy among national servicemen in Singapore. A preliminary report. Contact Dermatitis 30:108–109

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhukov VI (1972) Dermatitis (in Russian). Voen Med Zh 3:39–42

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Akiva Trattner or Aneta Lazarov .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Trattner, A., Lazarov, A., Ingber, A. (2018). Military Personnel. In: John, S., Johansen, J., Rustemeyer, T., Elsner, P., Maibach, H. (eds) Kanerva’s Occupational Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40221-5_172-2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40221-5_172-2

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-40221-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-40221-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics