Comparative study of skin sebum and elasticity level in patients with sulfur mustard-induced dermatitis and healthy controls

Background Sulfur mustard (SM) - a chemical agent - has both acute and chronic effects on skin. Xerosis, which is deemed to be due to the damage of hydrolipidic barrier of the skin, is the most common complaint of veterans exposed to the chemical. This study was designed to evaluate skin sebum and elasticity in veterans with a history of SM contact. Methods Three hundred and ten subjects were enrolled in this study and were divided into four groups: SM-exposed patients with current skin lesions (n=87); SM-exposed patients without skin lesions (n=71); patients with dermatitis (n=78); and normal controls (n=74). The skin sebum and elasticity were measured in four areas (forehead, suprasternal, palm and back of the hands) using a Sebumeter and a Reviscometer. Results Skin sebum was higher in participants who presented with dermatitis and had history of contact with SM than others; the difference was only statistically significant on the forehead. There was no significant difference in the skin elasticity between the four groups. Conclusion While SM may increase skin sebum in long term, there is no evidence that it has a substantial effect on skin elasticity.