Chronic arsenicism from Chinese herbal medicine.
Chronic arsenicism is associated with cutaneous manifestations, including palmoplantar keratoses, pigmentary anomalies, and nonmelanoma skin cancer. It occurs most commonly following exposure to inorganic arsenic in contaminated drinking water or occupational contact, though medicinal exposure also has been reported. We present a case of a Chinese woman living in the United States with cutaneous manifestations of chronic arsenicism due to a 5-year history of Chinese herbal medicine ingestion.
Hanjani
N Michelle
NM
Department Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA. nh2208@columbia.edu
Fender
Anne B
AB
Mercurio
Mary Gail
MG
D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007645:Keratoderma, Palmoplantar / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D001151:Arsenic