Dermatotoxicology

Dermal exposure may take place in the workplace or in a private setting (e.g. via cosmetics and personal-care products, household products, and clothing). Absorption of certain substances may even be desired, such as, in modern medicine, with the goal of making substances systemically available (e.g. by nicotine or hormone patches). The (undesired) absorption of substances via the skin may, however, present a significant route of exposure for (hazardous) substances. Estimating this absorption and investigating how the dermal absorption of (hazardous) substances might be influenced are essential for protecting humans. In addition to the study of the absorption of hazardous substances, dermatotoxicology further examines all other areas of toxicology, specifically the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of hazardous substances as well as their toxicological effects.

There is a wide variety of research questions and areas of focus which concern the exposure and absorption of substances on, in, and through the skin from the perspective of occupational medicine and toxicology.

The skin is the largest organ in the human body, presenting a barrier between the “environment” and a person’s “internal environment”. On one hand, skin functions as a protective front against external environmental factors; on the other, it guarantees a controlled exchange of temperature and substances between the body and the surrounding environment. The skin likewise acts as a barrier against (hazardous) substances (Figure 1). This barrier may be directly damaged by external factors (e.g. chemical burns, abrasions). Within the skin, (hazardous) substances may lead to immunological processes such as sensitisation and allergies. (Hazardous) substances may cross into the skin, penetrate the vascular system, and affect the body systemically.

Figure 1: Skin and environment (adopted from Drexler, 2007,
Kompetenz­zentrum Arbeitsmedizinische Dermatotoxikologie)

Doctoral student

Dermal exposure

Skin resorption

Skin damage

Teledermatology

Elsner P, Bauer A, Diepgen TL, et al. (2018) Position paper: Telemedicine in occupational dermatology – current status and perspectives. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 16(8):969-974 doi:10.1111/ddg.13605

Elsner P, Bauer A, Diepgen TL, et al. (2018) Positionspapier: Telemedizin in der Berufsdermatologie – Aktueller Stand und Perspektiven. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 16(8):969-975 doi:10.1111/ddg.13605_g

Kladt C, Dennerlein K, Göen T, Drexler H, Korinth G (2018) Evaluation on the reliability of the permeability coefficient (Kp) to assess the percutaneous penetration property of chemicals on the basis of Flynn’s dataset. International archives of occupational and environmental health 91(4):467-477 doi:10.1007/s00420-018-1296-5

Seitz M, Kilo S, Eckert E, Müller J, Drexler H, Göen T (2018) Validity of different biomonitoring parameters for the assessment of occupational exposure to N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Archives of toxicology doi:10.1007/s00204-018-2219-7

Dennerlein K, Göen T, Zobel M, Boos AM, Drexler H, Kilo S (2017) Dermal penetration and resorption of beta-naphthylamine and N-phenyl-beta-naphthylamine from lubricants in an ex vivo human skin model. Chemosphere 185:934-941 doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.07.070

Weistenhöfer W, Drexler H (2017) Teledermatologie: Chancen für die Arbeitsmedizin. Arbeitsmedizin, Sozialmedizin, Umweltmedizin : ASU : Zeitschrift für medizinische Prävention 52

Weistenhöfer W, Hiller J, Drexler H, Kiesel J (2017) Retrospective evaluation of exposure to natural UV radiation: experiences with the online UV history tool in a field study. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 15(6):610-619 doi:10.1111/ddg.13250

Weistenhöfer W, Hiller J, Drexler H, Kiesel J (2017) Retrospektive Expositionsabschatzung der naturlichen UV-Strahlendosis: Erfahrungen mit dem Online-UV-Anamnese-Instrument im Feldversuch. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 15(6):610-620 doi:10.1111/ddg.13250_g

Weistenhöfer W, Uter W, Drexler H (2017) Protection during production: Problems due to prevention? Nail and skin condition after prolonged wearing of occlusive gloves. Journal of toxicology and environmental health Part A 80(7-8):396-404 doi:10.1080/10937404.2017.1304741

Dennerlein K, Kiesewetter F, Kilo S, et al. (2016) Dermal absorption and skin damage following hydrofluoric acid exposure in an ex vivo human skin model. Toxicology letters 248:25-33 doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.02.015

Kilo S, Göen T, Drexler H (2016) Cross-sectional study on N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF); effects on liver and alcohol intolerance. International archives of occupational and environmental health 89(8):1309-1320 doi:10.1007/s00420-016-1164-0

Kilo S, Hofmann B, Eckert E, Göen T, Drexler H (2016) Evaluation of biomarkers assessing regular alcohol consumption in an occupational setting. International archives of occupational and environmental health 89(8):1193-1203 doi:10.1007/s00420-016-1155-1

Munker S, Kilo S, Ross C, et al. (2016) Exposure of the German general population to platinum and rhodium – Urinary levels and determining factors. International journal of hygiene and environmental health 219(8):801-810 doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.07.019

Schneider D, Dennerlein K, Göen T, Schaller KH, Drexler H, Korinth G (2016) Influence of artificial sebum on the dermal absorption of chemicals in excised human skin: A proof-of-concept study. Toxicol In Vitro 33:23-8 doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2016.02.010

Weistenhöfer W, Uter W, Drexler H (2016) Has dry/cold weather an impact on the skin condition of cleanroom workers? Journal of toxicology and environmental health Part A 79(22-23):1118-1124 doi:10.1080/15287394.2016.1219602

Dennerlein K, Jager T, Göen T, et al. (2015) Evaluation of the effect of skin cleaning procedures on the dermal absorption of chemicals. Toxicol In Vitro 29(5):828-33 doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2015.03.001

Fartasch M, Diepgen TL, Drexler H, Elsner P, John SM, Schliemann S (2015) S1 guideline on occupational skin products: protective creams, skin cleansers, skin care products (ICD 10: L23, L24)–short version. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 13(6):594-606 doi:10.1111/ddg.12617

Kilo S, Zonnur N, Uter W, Göen T, Drexler H (2015) Effect of Skin Protection and Skin Irritation on the Internal Exposure to Carbon Disulfide in Employees of the Viscose Industry. Ann Occup Hyg 59(8):972-81 doi:10.1093/annhyg/mev032

Weistenhöfer W, Wacker M, Bernet F, Uter W, Drexler H (2015) Occlusive gloves and skin conditions: is there a problem? Results of a cross-sectional study in a semiconductor company. The British journal of dermatology 172(4):1058-65 doi:10.1111/bjd.13481

Dennerlein K, Schneider D, Göen T, Schaller KH, Drexler H, Korinth G (2013) Studies on percutaneous penetration of chemicals – Impact of storage conditions for excised human skin. Toxicol In Vitro 27(2):708-13 doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2012.11.016

Korinth G, Schaller KH, Drexler H (2013) Percutaneous absorption of aromatic amines and the risk assessment resulting from the dermal pathway. Front Biosci (Elite Ed) 5(3):928-38 doi:10.2741/e672

Baumeister T, Uter W, Weistenhöfer W, Drexler H, Kütting B (2012) On the lookout for precursor lesions: where does dry skin end and slight hand eczema begin? Contact dermatitis 66(2):63-71 doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2011.01969.x

Korinth G, Schaller KH, Bader M, et al. (2012) Comparison of experimentally determined and mathematically predicted percutaneous penetration rates of chemicals. Archives of toxicology 86(3):423-30 doi:10.1007/s00204-011-0777-z

Korinth G, Wellner T, Schaller KH, Drexler H (2012) Potential of the octanol-water partition coefficient (logP) to predict the dermal penetration behaviour of amphiphilic compounds in aqueous solutions. Toxicology letters 215(1):49-53 doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2012.09.013

Lessmann H, Uter W, Diepgen TL, et al. (2011) Classification of skin sensitizing substances: a comparison between approaches used by the DFG-MAK Commission and the European Union legislation. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP 61(1):1-8 doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2011.06.008

Kütting B, Uter W, Weistenhöfer W, Baumeister T, Drexler H (2011) Does smoking have a significant impact on early irritant hand dermatitis in metal workers? Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 222(4):375-80 doi:10.1159/000329433

Weistenhöfer W, Baumeister T, Drexler H, Kütting B (2011) How to quantify skin impairment in primary and secondary prevention? HEROS: a proposal of a hand eczema score for occupational screenings. The British journal of dermatology 164(4):807-13 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10181.x

Baumeister T, Weistenhöfer W, Drexler H, Kütting B (2010) Spoilt for choice–evaluation of two different scoring systems for early hand eczema in teledermatological examinations. Contact dermatitis 62(4):241-7 doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2010.01703.x

Kütting B, Baumeister T, Weistenhöfer W, Pfahlberg A, Uter W, Drexler H (2010) Effectiveness of skin protection measures in prevention of occupational hand eczema: results of a prospective randomized controlled trial over a follow-up period of 1 year. The British journal of dermatology 162(2):362-70 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09485.x

Kütting B, Uter W, Baumeister T, Schaller B, Weistenhöfer W, Drexler H (2010) Non-invasive bioengineering methods in an intervention study in 1020 male metal workers: results and implications for occupational dermatology. Contact dermatitis 62(5):272-8 doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2010.01706.x

Weistenhöfer W, Baumeister T, Drexler H, Kütting B (2010) An overview of skin scores used for quantifying hand eczema: a critical update according to the criteria of evidence-based medicine. The British journal of dermatology 162(2):239-50 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09463.x

Baumeister T, Weistenhöfer W, Drexler H, Kütting B (2009) Prevention of work-related skin diseases: teledermatology as an alternative approach in occupational screenings. Contact dermatitis 61(4):224-30 doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2009.01606.x

Kütting B, Weistenhöfer W, Baumeister T, Uter W, Drexler H (2009) Current acceptance and implementation of preventive strategies for occupational hand eczema in 1355 metalworkers in Germany. The British journal of dermatology 161(2):390-6 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09085.x

Winker R, Salameh B, Stolkovich S, et al. (2009) Effectiveness of skin protection creams in the prevention of occupational dermatitis: results of a randomized, controlled trial. International archives of occupational and environmental health 82(5):653-62 doi:10.1007/s00420-008-0377-2

Korinth G, Luersen L, Schaller KH, Angerer J, Drexler H (2008) Enhancement of percutaneous penetration of aniline and o-toluidine in vitro using skin barrier creams. Toxicol In Vitro 22(3):812-8 doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2007.11.006

Korinth G, Schmid K, Midasch O, Boettcher MI, Angerer J, Drexler H (2007) Investigations on permeation of mitomycin C through double layers of natural rubber gloves. Ann Occup Hyg 51(7):593-600 doi:10.1093/annhyg/mem039

Korinth G, Weiss T, Penkert S, Schaller KH, Angerer J, Drexler H (2007) Percutaneous absorption of aromatic amines in rubber industry workers: impact of impaired skin and skin barrier creams. Occup Environ Med 64(6):366-72 doi:10.1136/oem.2006.027755

Lüersen L, Wellner T, Koch HM, Angerer J, Drexler H, Korinth G (2006) Penetration of beta-naphthylamine and o-toluidine through human skin in vitro. Archives of toxicology 80(10):644-6 doi:10.1007/s00204-006-0095-z

Korinth G, Weiss T, Angerer J, Drexler H (2006) Dermal absorption of aromatic amines in workers with different skin lesions: a report on 4 cases. J Occup Med Toxicol 1:17 doi:10.1186/1745-6673-1-17

(2017) Dermale Penetration und Effektivität von Hautreinigungsverfahren nach Exposition gegenüber Flusssäure -ein ex vivo Humanhautmodell-. FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Promotion

(2017) Die Platin- und Rhodiumexposition der deutschen Allgemeinbevölkerung – Urinlevel und beeinflussende Faktoren. FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Promotion

(2016) Penetration von Aluminium in und durch Humanhaut unter besonderer Berücksichtigung einer Hautbarrierestörung – Penetration of aluminum in and through human skin in relation to skin barrier disruption. FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, NatFak, Master of Science

(2016) Konzentrationsabhängigkeit und Zeitverlauf der dermalen Absorption von Aluminium mit vergleichender Betrachtung des Penetrationsvermögens frisch exzidierter und gelagerter Humanhaut – Concentration dependence and time course of dermal absorption of aluminum with a comparative observation of the penetration capacity freshly excised and mounted human skin. Hochschule Coburg – Studiengang Bioanalytik, Bachelor of Science

(2015) Untersuchung zur Penetration von Diflubenzuron in und durch Humanhaut. Hochschule Coburg – Studiengang Bioanalytik, Bachelor of Science