page_title: Blister agent
hierarchical_section_title: Blister agent
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Ein kanadischer Soldat mit Senfgas-Verbrennungen, ca. 1917-1918. English: A Canadian soldier with mustard gas burns, ca. 1917-1918. Español: Un soldado canadiense sufriendo de quemaduraas de gas de mostaza, ca. 1917-1918. Français&#160;: Un soldat canadien souffrant de brûlures au gaz moutarde, ca. 1917-1918. Gaeilge: Saighdiúir Cheanada le dónna gás mustaird, t. 1917-1918. Svenska: En kanadensisk soldat med brännskador från senapsgas, ca. 1917-1918.
context_page_description: A blister agent, or vesicant, is a chemical compound that causes severe skin, eye and mucosal pain and irritation. They are named for their ability to cause severe chemical burns, resulting in painful water blisters on the bodies of those affected. Although the term is often used in connection with large-scale burns caused by chemical spills or chemical warfare agents, some naturally occurring substances such as cantharidin are also blister-producing agents. Furanocoumarin, another naturally occurring substance, causes vesicant-like effects indirectly, for example, by increasing skin photosensitivity greatly. Vesicants have medical uses including wart removal but can be fatal if even small amounts are ingested.
context_section_description: A blister agent, or vesicant, is a chemical compound that causes severe skin, eye and mucosal pain and irritation. They are named for their ability to cause severe chemical burns, resulting in painful water blisters on the bodies of those affected. Although the term is often used in connection with large-scale burns caused by chemical spills or chemical warfare agents, some naturally occurring substances such as cantharidin are also blister-producing agents (vesicants). Furanocoumarin, another naturally occurring substance, causes vesicant-like effects indirectly, for example, by increasing skin photosensitivity greatly. Vesicants have medical uses including wart removal but can be fatal if even small amounts are ingested.
caption: Soldier with moderate mustard gas burns sustained during World War I showing characteristic bullae on neck, armpit and hands
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