TOXICODERMATITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Toxicodermatitis, also known as toxic dermatitis, is a medical condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of the skin caused by exposure to various toxic substances. It refers to a specific type of contact dermatitis, which develops when the skin comes into direct contact with harmful chemicals or other irritants.
The condition arises due to an allergic or hypersensitive reaction to the toxic agents, resulting in the skin becoming red, itchy, painful, and swollen. Common culprits that can trigger toxicodermatitis include poisonous plants (such as poison ivy or poison oak), certain medications, industrial chemicals, solvents, detergents, and even some cosmetics.
Symptoms of toxicodermatitis may develop shortly after exposure or may take a few hours or days to manifest. In addition to the characteristic skin symptoms, individuals may experience blistering, oozing, and the formation of crusts or scales. Severe cases can also be accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.
The treatment for toxicodermatitis primarily involves avoiding further exposure to the offending substances, as well as caring for the affected skin. This often includes gentle cleansing, application of soothing creams or ointments, and sometimes the use of oral antihistamines or topical corticosteroids to alleviate symptoms. In severe cases, a healthcare professional may prescribe systemic corticosteroids or other medications to control the inflammation.
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Inflammation of the skin caused by the action of a poison.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TOXICODERMATITIS
- roxicodermatitis
- foxicodermatitis
- goxicodermatitis
- yoxicodermatitis
- 6oxicodermatitis
- 5oxicodermatitis
- tixicodermatitis
- tkxicodermatitis
- tlxicodermatitis
- tpxicodermatitis
- t0xicodermatitis
- t9xicodermatitis
- tozicodermatitis
- tocicodermatitis
- todicodermatitis
- tosicodermatitis
- toxucodermatitis
- toxjcodermatitis
- toxkcodermatitis
- toxocodermatitis
Etymology of TOXICODERMATITIS
The word "toxicodermatitis" is composed of two morphemes: "toxico-" and "-dermatitis".
The first part, "toxico-", is derived from the Greek word "toxikon", which means "poison". This word, in turn, comes from the root "toxon", meaning "bow" or "arrow". In ancient Greece, the term "toxikon" was used to refer to poison obtained from a bow or arrow, specifically a plant extract used to poison arrowheads.
The second part of the word, "-dermatitis", comes from the Greek word "derma", which means "skin", and the suffix "-itis", which indicates inflammation or infection. So, "dermatitis" refers to inflammation or irritation of the skin.
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