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Cyanide

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Cutaneous

Definition

• Cutaneous relates to or affects the skin.

• Subcutaneous refers to being below the skin (as in a penetrating injury, injection or intravenous line).

• Percutaneous refers to being passed, done or effected through the skin. For example, some materials pass through exposed skin, causing poisoning.

Additional Info

Some chemical solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) have the ability to easily and rapidly carry dissolved substances through the skin and into the body. Solutions of such materials therefore need to be treated with great respect and proper precautions (see below). Others, such as many phenols, can rapidly penetrate your skin on their own and are exceedingly toxic upon such dermal exposure.

Corrosive chemicals such as acids and bases can cause immediate and potentially irreversible damage to unprotected skin. While most acids are easily rinsed off, hydrofluoric acid (HF) can penetrate skin painlessly and without obvious signs of damage...and then then cause severe internal damage or death; see our acid entry for more on HF. Bases (alkalis; caustics) also penetrate skin and are not easily removed by rinsing. See our corrosive entry for more on water flushing as a first aid measure.

MSDS Relevance

This term appears on MSDS's in many contexts. For example, you may see the terms "cutaneous exposure", "cutaneous hazard", "cutaneous irritation" or "cutaneous absorption" to describe the effects of getting the material on your skin or "cutaneous route" to describe how the material can get into your body. The term may also refer to animal testing methods. Use your MSDS to determine the required personal protective equipment (PPE) that you must use. Protecting the skin (with gloves, aprons, coveralls, face masks etc.) is important. After all, the skin is the largest organ in the human body. Remember that gloves are not impermeable or resistant to all substances. Some gloves are completely ineffective against certain types of chemicals. See the links under Further Reading in our dermal entry for some glove selection guides.

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Further Reading

• Skin Anatomy from Gray's Anatomy.
• Biology of the Skin: Structure and Function at The Merck Manuals.
• Different Parts of the Skin at the University of Heidelberg. Nice drawing.
• The 3 Skin Layers: epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous fat at Procter & Gamble.

See also: dermal, dermatosis, erythema, gangrene, urticaria.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.