These symptoms may also involve the eyes with accompanying lachrymation.
As
pointed out earlier, fallout of an alkaline nature may contribute to this symtomatclogy.
The above symptoms occurred in many of the Marshallese,
In more
aeverely damaged skin, erythema, edema and areas of blanching may be noted.
Erythema was not observed in the Marshallese, perhaps due to the dark color
of the skin.
_.O+l.,2
LATENT PERIOD,
The early signs and symptoms usually disappear
within a few days and a relatively asymptomatic latent period ensues.
The
length of this latent period may vary from a few days to several weeks and is
relatec to the dose to the skin; the higher the dose, the shorter the latent
period.
In the Marshallese, the more heavily exposed group developed lesions
about two weeks after exposure, a week earlier than the less heavily exposed
groups.
~_..0.1.3
DEVELOPMENT OF GROSS LESIONS.
Following the latent period the
evidence of skin damage becomes apparent with intensification of signs and symptoma.
A secondary wave of erythema may be seen along with gross changes in the
skin. Such changes may be in the form of simple tanning or more marked pignen-
tation with the formation of macules, papules, or raised plaques of thickened
pigmented skin.
Mild lesions may cause only sligit itching and burning and
superficial desquamation from the center of the lesion outward, leaving depigmented thinned areas of epidermis whic!. gradually repigment and heal the following week or so.
In the more heavily exposed Marshallese group of 64 people,
about 90 per cent developed miltiple, spotty, pigmented lesions on exposed
parts of the body.
Wigs. 3, 4, and 5}.
and ulceration,
eceur.
Most of these lesions were superficial in nature (see
More severe exposure to the skin results in vesiculation
Such lesions may be quite painful and secondary infection may
They require longer to heal and may result in some degree of atrophy