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Poisoning Through Pediatric Skin: Cases from the Literature

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Abstract

Poisoning through pediatric skin leading to acute systemic symptoms is a relatively uncommonly reported phenomenon. Systemic toxicity through the skin typically occurs by direct contact between therapeutic or non-therapeutic topical agents and the skin. Though uncommon, poisoning through pediatric skin can have significant consequences and must be recognized so the offending agent may be discontinued and appropriate treatment initiated. We performed a literature search for all article types between 1950 and April 2016 to provide a single source of detectable cases of acute toxicity in pediatric patients due to percutaneous exposure. This literature review discusses relevant pediatric skin physiology along with reports of poisoning events that resulted in systemic signs and symptoms and even death to provide a comprehensive report on causes of pediatric poisoning through the skin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. Saint Clair Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Ahuva Cices, Stephanie Bayers, Anna Elisa Verzì & Dennis P. West

  2. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Lawrence A. Schachner

  3. Dermatology Clinic, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Anna Elisa Verzì & Giuseppe Micali

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  1. Ahuva Cices
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  2. Stephanie Bayers
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Correspondence to Dennis P. West.

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A Cices, S. Bayers, A.E. Verzì, L.A. Schachner, D.P. West, and G. Micali have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Cices, A., Bayers, S., Verzì, A.E. et al. Poisoning Through Pediatric Skin: Cases from the Literature. Am J Clin Dermatol 18, 391–403 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-017-0252-6

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