title: Vesicants.
abstract: Vesicants (or blister agents) are cytotoxic alkylating compounds, which are chemical agents sometimes collectively known as mustard gas or simply as mustard. Other blister agents are nitrogen mustard; sulfur mustard; lewisite, a vesicant that contains arsenic; and phosgene oxime, a halogenated oxime that possesses different properties and toxicity from the other agents. This article discusses history, toxicity, clinical presentation, and common treatment for vesicants.
authors.affiliation: US Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3400 Rawley E. Chambers Avenue, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6315, USA. john.mcmanus@amedd.army.mil
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.forename: Kermit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huebner
mesh_terms: D002618:Chemical Warfare; D003666:Decontamination; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000633:toxicity; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries
chemical_list: D007509:Irritants