Everyone will experience a rash or skin irritation at some time in their lives. Rashes and skin irritations were among the most commonly reported symptoms reported by Service Members deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm.

There are hundreds and hundreds of skin conditions. Examples of common rashes and skin irritations include: acne, folliculitis (razor burn), urticaria (hives), psoriasis, eczema, dry skin scabies, pediculosis (lice) insect bites (ants, fleas, flies, spiders, etc.), warts, intertrigo (rashes from friction or rubbing).

	Intertrigo – rash developed because of the constant friction between skin and bra elastic strap material.
	Contact dermatitis – rash developed from an ingredient in individual’s deodorant or soap
	Urticaria – hives in response to an allergen
	Allergic reaction to nickel in a bracelet

Rashes and skin irritations may be associated with hypersensitivity (e.g. allergic response), irritation (changing the physical or chemical structure of the skin, For example, strong soaps can decrease the lipid content of the skin, making it more prone to rashes and irritation), and inflammation (e.g. hives).

Your skin is constantly changing, therefore things that did not cause a rash in the past can lead to rashes or skin irritations in the present or future.

These types of rashes are annoying. They itch. They are ugly. But they often go away on their own.

In general, rashes and skin irritations can take many forms.

• Discolored skin (red, brown, white)
  
• Bumpy skin (round, unevenly shaped)
  
• Scaly skin
  
• Cracked or fissured skin
  
• Small or large (just in one area, all over)
  
• Contiguous or separate (several areas of rash touching, or single dots or spots)
  

Unfortunately, few studies describe in detail the kinds or types of rashes experienced by Service Members following their service in Desert Storm.

Seborrheic dermatitis, a common, chronic inflammatory process, was described by a U.K. study group as being more common in Service Members deployed to the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm than in Service Members deployed elsewhere. Seborrheic dermatitis looks similar to dandruff, but is more scaly. It often occurs on the scalp and near hair boarders (beards, mustache, hairline, etc.). Often a person will experience periods of remission interspersed with more active periods.

Non-specific eczema was the most reported diagnosis made by two dermatologists in one month’s time in the Gulf. Eczema is the most common inflammatory skin disease in the general population. Patches of red scaly skin that are itchy are typical of eczema.

It is likely that the types of rashes and skin irritations experienced by Service Members returning Operation Desert Storm are among those most commonly seen in the general population. The climate and harsh living environment may have contributed to the rashes and skin irritations experienced by Service Members in Desert Storm.

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Reference List

1. Gray, G. C., Reed, R. J., Kaiser, K. S., Smith, T. C., and Gastanaga, V. M. Self-Reported Symptoms and Medical Conditions Among 11,868 Gulf War-Era Veterans: The SeaBee Study. Am J Epidemiol 2002;155(11):1033-44.

2. Lee, H. A., Gabriel, R., Bolton, J. P. G., Bale, A. J., and Jackson, M. Health Status and Clinical Diagnoses of 3000 UK Gulf War Veterans. J R Soc Med 2002;95:491-7.

3. Fukuda, K., Nisenbaum, R., Stewart, G., Thompson, W. W., Robin, L., Washko, R. M., Noah, D. L., Barrett, D. H., Randall, B., Herwaldt, B. L., Mawle, A. C., and Reeves, W. C. Chronic Multisymptom Illness Affecting Air Force Veterans of the Gulf War. JAMA 9-16-1998;280(11):981-8.

4. Sartin, J. S. Gulf War Illnesses: Causes and Controversies. Mayo Clin Proc 2000;75(8):811-9.

5. Pehr, K. and Kornfeld, B. W. Dermatology in a War Zone: A Persian Gulf Experience. Int J Dertmatol 1992;31(7):494-7.

6. Higgins, E. M., Ismail, K., Kant, K., Harman, K., Mellerio, J., Du Vivier, A. W. P., and Wessely, S. Skin Disease in Gulf War Veterans. Q J Med 2002;95:671-6.

7. Habif, Thomas B., Clinical Dermatology. 3rd ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 1996.

8. United States Department of Defense. Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Program for Persian Gulf War Veterans: CCEP Report on 18,598 Participants. 1996.
Ref Type: Generic

9. Kang, H. K.; Dalager, N. A.; Lee, K. Y. Health Surveillance of Persian Gulf War Veterans-A Review of the DVA Persian Gulf Registry Data. 1996. Department of Veterans Affairs, unpublished report.
Ref Type: Generic