Environmental skin diseases and the impact of common dermatoses on medicalreadiness

The environmental extremes in which soldiers exercise and fight, like the e nvironmental extremes in which many civilians encounter occupationally and recreationally, can prove to be a significant cause for morbidity and decre ased effectiveness. A variety of skin diseases are related to occupational exposure to dusts and ultraviolet radiation as a well known cause of cutane ous damage. As more is understood about the biochemical factors involved in frostbite injury treatment recommendations have changed. Too much water, h ot or cold, is a continued source of cutaneous misery to the soldier in the field. Finally, even common minor skin ailments can incapacitate the suffe rer when confronted with unfavorable environments.