A study published in the journal eBioMedicine revealed that acute exposure to thirdhand smoke (THS) can increase the risk of skin diseases such as contact dermatitis and psoriasis. The researchers explained that acute exposure to THS elevated the biomarkers associated with the initiation of skin diseases.

In the study, 10 healthy, non-smoking participants aged 22 to 45 years were enrolled. For the study, each participant wore clothing infused with THS for three hours and either walked or ran on a treadmill for at least 15 minutes each hour to induce perspiration and increase the uptake of THS through the skin.

The findings of the study revealed that acute dermal exposure to THS mimicked the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. Additionally, an elevation of urinary biomarkers of oxidative damage to DNA, lipids, and proteins was observed after acute exposure to THS. The study results also showed that these biomarkers remained high after the exposure stopped.

The study authors added that ten participants were subjected to a very brief period of THS exposure; hence, no visible changes in the skin were observed. However, the molecular biomarkers associated with early-stage activation of contact dermatitis, psoriasis, and other skin conditions were elevated.

The authors of the study noted that cigarette smokers show a similar pattern of elevation in these biomarkers. Hence, they concluded that the findings of the study can help physicians in diagnosing patients exposed to THS. They added that it can also help in developing regulatory policies for the remediation of indoor environments contaminated with THS. 

(Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/exposure-to-third-hand-smoke-may-trigger-skin-diseases-study-finds-448897 )