vesicant
Causes skin blisters
A vesicant is a substance that causes blistering of the skin.
The term appears most often in military contexts, where vesicants like mustard gas are chemical warfare agents that produce severe burns and blisters on contact: Vesicant agents were deployed in World War I.
In medicine, vesicants are chemicals that damage tissue if they leak from IV lines.
Blistering chemical warfare agent
- nitrogen mustardCytotoxic alkylating agent
- blister beetleBeetle producing caustic defensive chemical
Extremely intense or severe
- painBodily or emotional distress
- burningCombustion in progress
- itchingIrritating skin sensation
- rednessCrimson-hued state
swelling · irritation · soreness · blindness · respiratory distress · conjunctivitis · photophobia · hoarseness
Raised fluid-filled skin
- bullaeLarge fluid-filled skin lesions
- weltsRaised skin from impact
- lesionsAreas of damaged tissue
- pustulesPus-filled skin lesions
edema · ulceration · erythema · necrosis · epidermis · dermatitis · inflammation · excoriation
Adding hydrocarbon groups chemically
- cytotoxicToxic to cells
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- cell deathCessation of cellular life
- membrane disruptionDamaging cellular boundaries
inflammatory response · lipophilic · absorption · latency period · mutagenic · carcinogenic
Toxic substances weaponized
- demilitarizationRemoval of armed forces
- non-proliferationLimiting weapons spread
- protective gearEquipment preventing bodily harm
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
mustard gas
Blistering chemical warfare agent
- nitrogen mustardCytotoxic alkylating agent
- blister beetleBeetle producing caustic defensive chemical
blistering
Extremely intense or severe
redness · swelling · irritation · soreness · blindness · respiratory distress · conjunctivitis · photophobia · hoarseness · pulmonary edema
blisters
Raised fluid-filled skin
pustules · edema · ulceration · erythema · necrosis · epidermis · dermatitis · inflammation · excoriation · eruption
alkylation
Adding hydrocarbon groups chemically
- cytotoxicToxic to cells
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- cell deathCessation of cellular life
membrane disruption · inflammatory response · lipophilic · absorption · latency period · mutagenic · carcinogenic
chemical weapons
Toxic substances weaponized
- demilitarizationRemoval of armed forces
- non-proliferationLimiting weapons spread
- protective gearEquipment preventing bodily harm
decontamination · atropine · military defense · mass casualty
- vesica piscisLens from intersecting circles