Skin disorder
An exposure to Agent Orange causes skin disorder. The most common skin disorder among the victims of Agent Orange is a chloracne. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs presumes that chloracne is directly related to the exposure to dioxin in the Agent Orange. Victims with chloracne have excessively oily skin compared to other people. Also, a person who suffers chloracne have blackheads, fluid-filled cysts and nodules. If a person has a chloracne, one's skin becomes thicker than other people and peels or flakes. When the skin flakes or peels, it may leave permanent scars on the person's body. Although chloracne is common among the victims of Agent Orange, not everyone has chloracne.
Another common skin disorder caused by the Agent Orange is a Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT). The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs supposes that PCT is directly related to an exposure to Agent Orange or other kinds of defoliants. Victims with Porphyria Cutanea Tarda have thinner and blisters on parts that are exposed to the sun. Blisters are formed on the body parts that are frequently exposed to the sun such as the face and arms. In addition, crusts and scars form on bodies of the victims and hairs grow on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. Hyperpigmentation, an excessive pigmentation of the skin, is related to the Porphyria Cutanea Tarda too. One of the symptoms of PCT is a liver damage. When dioxin in the Agent Orange enters a human body, it damages a liver in the person's body. Then the damaged liver cannot produce a sufficient amount of Vitamin A to support the body's need. This results in Porphyria Cutanea Tarda.
References:
"Public Health." Porphyria Cutanea Tarda and Agent Orange -. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, n.d. Web. 19 July 2014. <http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/porphyria-cutanea-tarda.asp>.
"Public Health." Chloracne or Acneform Disease and Agent Orange -. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, n.d. Web. 19 July 2014. <http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/chloracne.asp>.
Images:
A photograph of a girl with chlorance. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2014.<http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~vo22a/classweb/images/Chloracne%201.jpg>.
A photograph of hands with Porphyria Cutanea Tarda. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2014. <http://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/320/7250/1647/F3.large.jpg>.
References:
"Public Health." Porphyria Cutanea Tarda and Agent Orange -. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, n.d. Web. 19 July 2014. <http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/porphyria-cutanea-tarda.asp>.
"Public Health." Chloracne or Acneform Disease and Agent Orange -. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, n.d. Web. 19 July 2014. <http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/chloracne.asp>.
Images:
A photograph of a girl with chlorance. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2014.<http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~vo22a/classweb/images/Chloracne%201.jpg>.
A photograph of hands with Porphyria Cutanea Tarda. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2014. <http://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/320/7250/1647/F3.large.jpg>.