Multiple Harms and Health Warnings of Smoking to the Skin

Smokers are prone to skin diseases.

It is estimated that tobacco contains more than 4,000 compounds, of which more than 40 are known carcinogens. When smoking, the skin comes into direct contact with the smoke, and some of the toxic substances absorbed into the bloodstream can also reach the skin through the bloodstream. Therefore, smoking is closely related to skin diseases.

Psoriasis. Some have proposed that smoking is a potential risk factor for psoriasis. This view has been confirmed by several studies. Comparisons have shown that smoking habits are closely related to psoriasis and non-psoriasis residents in the same area, indicating that smoking may be a risk factor for the disease.

Nail abnormalities. The skin and nails of smokers are often stained yellow, hence the term "nicotine mark." Long-term smoking can also cause progressively curved and uneven nails, resulting in "nails that break" or "claw nails." If a long-term smoker suddenly quits smoking or stops smoking for other reasons, a clear boundary will appear between the pigmented area at the distal end of the nail and the newly formed non-pigmented area at the proximal end. The date of cessation of smoking can be estimated by measuring the distance between the nail root and this boundary line.

Putomatocele. Putomatocele is a chronic, relapsing skin disease of unknown cause. A foreign survey showed that 80% of 216 patients with putomatocele had a smoking habit; while only 36% of 626 patients with other skin diseases were smokers. The results also showed that smokers are 7.2 times more likely to develop putomatocele than non-smokers.

Palm eczema. A foreign study investigated the pathogenesis of palmar eczema in 153 cases. Studies have found a close relationship between aspirin use, birth control pills, and smoking and the incidence of palmar eczema. The impact of smoking on palmar eczema is primarily seen in men, and long-term smoking may be a major cause of persistent palmar eczema.

Melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Although smoking does not cause melanoma or increase the risk of developing it, the following points have been confirmed:

① Smoking makes primary melanoma lesions more prone to metastasis.

② Smokers have a lower survival rate after developing melanoma.

③ Smokers are more likely to die after developing melanoma. Furthermore, there is a close relationship between smoking and squamous cell carcinoma; smokers have a much higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma than non-smokers, and this risk is closely related to the amount and duration of smoking.

Oral diseases, lip cancer, and anogenital cancer. The relationship between oral cancer and smoking has long been established. The occurrence of lip cancer is the result of the combined effects of sunlight exposure and smoking. The occurrence of anogenital cancer is also related to smoking. Studies show that men who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day are twice as likely to develop penile cancer as non-smokers. The incidence of anal canal cancer is also closely related to smoking.

Facial skin aging. Through long-term research, foreign scholars have discovered the distinctive facial features of heavy smokers:

① Radial wrinkles at the corners of the eyes and upper and lower lips, and deep wrinkles on the cheeks.

② A slightly haggard appearance.

③ Mild skin atrophy, appearing dark gray.

④ A pale orange or purple complexion.