Studies of irritant reactions on epidermis: the application of energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis

Modern man is exposed to an increasing amount of chemicals in the environment. The skin is a complex tissue with regards to both structure and function. Contact with external stimuli can lead to various responses in the skin depending on the type of stimuli, the dose and time of exposure and the status of the exposed individual. The electron probe microanalytic technique can be used to obtain information on physiological alterations within the skin and especially the epidermis when the normal homeostasis is disturbed by contact with external stimuli. The present paper presents a review of some aspects of contact dermatitis and the possibility of using the electron probe microanalytic technique for analysis of epidermal events of this condition.