title: Environmental skin diseases and the impact of common dermatoses on medical readiness.
abstract: The environmental extremes in which soldiers exercise and fight, like the environmental extremes in which many civilians encounter occupationally and recreationally, can prove to be a significant cause for morbidity and decreased effectiveness. A variety of skin diseases are related to occupational exposure to dusts and ultraviolet radiation as a well known cause of cutaneous damage. As more is understood about the biochemical factors involved in frostbite injury, treatment recommendations have changed. Too much water, hot or cold, is a continued source of cutaneous misery to the soldier in the field. Finally, even common minor skin ailments can incapacitate the sufferer when confronted with unfavorable environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Meffert
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States