Chloracne
Contents
Most distinguishing histopathologic feature of chloracne is the
lack of sebaceous glands
Most significant environmental chloracnegen
Dioxin is recognized as the most significant environmental chloracnegen
MADISH
Chloracne is also known as MADISH (Metabolizing Acquired Dioxin Induced Skin Hamartomas)
Common sites
Skin lesions appear on the cheeks and postauricular skin and may progress into the axillae and groin.
Pathophysiology
Toxins accumulate within the sebaceous glands and alter their normal physiology from oil-producing glands into the cyst-like structures (hamartomas) of chloracne.
Activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor
Pathophysiological changes take place through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) which is expressed in keratinocytes and sebocytes, accelerating epidermal terminal differentiation (keratinization) and converting sebocytes toward keratinocyte differentiation.
