coal miner's dermatosis; Colliers' stripes

Etiology: - tattoing coal dust into the skin Epidemiology: - ubiquitous among coal miners Pathology: - result of scratches & small injuries in which coal dust becomes depositing during wound healing Clinical manifestations: - numerous linear & irregularly shaped pigmentation of exposed skin - greyish-blue in color - most numerous on face, forearms, hands - up to 1 inch in length - linear or angular in shape Notes: - coal dust may be used as pigment in tattoes in mining country

References

Bettly FR Colliers' stripes - The Coal Miners' Dermatosis. British Journal of Dermatology. 52(4):129-130 1940 http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1940.tb10849.x