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(16) High altitude and the skin
Author(s) -
English J.S.C.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb12034.x
Subject(s) - frostbite , effects of high altitude on humans , altitude (triangle) , sunburn , medicine , dermatology , surgery , anatomy , geometry , mathematics
Most high‐altitude medical research has been concerned with cardio‐pulmonary pathophysiology. As medical officer to the 1986 British North East Ridge Everest Expedition, I was able to study the effects of prolonged high altitude exposure on the skin. The environment is very harsh on Everest (29 048 feet) with strong winds, low humidity and temperatures as low as ‐ 25°C. The 23 members of the expedition spent 3 months at or above 17000 feet. The highest altitude reached was 25750 feet. Several skin conditions were encountered: frostbite, chillblains, fissuring of finger pulps, dry skin, eczema, folliculitis, sunburn and polymorphic light eruption. The most interesting finding was that six members developed numerous splinter haemorrhages. This may reflect a more widespread capillary fragility which occurs at high altitudes, 1 and may be important in the pathogenesis of high‐altitude pulmonary and cerebral oedema.