#smoking and the #skin

Smoking is a major problem particularly in young people. In the past years, increased smoking has been observed in young women. Smoking is responsible for at least a quarter of all deaths, because of cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer.

On the skin, smoking is responsible for the following changes:

1. Premature Aging: the skin becomes very wrinkled, thickened with a yellowish aspect. Sun exposure adds negative effects (solar elastosis).
2. Yellow discoloration of the tip of the fingers and nails.
3. Poor wound healing: this can be explained by a reduced synthesis of collagen and a reduced blood supply of nutrients and oxygen.

Some skin diseases are associated with smoking:

• Strong associations:

1. Palmoplantar pustulosis and palmoplantar psoriasis
2. Hidradentitis Suppurativa (Verneuil’s Disease)
3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the lips and of the oral mucosa.
4. Genital Warts (Condyloma Accuminata) and Carcinoma of the Cervix.

• Possible associations:

1. Atopic Dermatitis (including the form through passive smoking from the parents).
2. Malignant Melanoma: smokers have a worse prognosis.
3. Lupus Erythematosus: smokers present worse responses to the treatment with antimalarials.

Moreover, topical medication containing alcohol base should never be prescribed to smokers as these are highly inflammable.