Generalized hair loss and selenium exposure.
The manufacture and maintenance of drums used in photocopy machines involves use of a selenium alloy. A worker employed in this type of job for 6 mo presented with alopecia aereta which later deteriorated to alopecia universalis. As selenium intoxication is known to present with a similar clinical picture, selenium levels in blood and nails of this subject were estimated and compared with those found in other workers. We report a case of alopecia universalis due to occupational selenium intoxication.
Srivastava
A K
AK
Epidemiology Division, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, MG Marg, Lucknow, India.
Gupta
B N
BN
Bihari
V
V
Gaur
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009262:Nails / Q000737:chemistry; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D012643:Selenium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood
D012643:Selenium