Skin Signs in the Diagnosis of Thallium Poisoning

The document described a case of a 45-year-old man who developed severe neurological symptoms, including sensory-motor polyneuropathy, confusion, and convulsions, leading to respiratory failure and coma. After 3 weeks in intensive care, he experienced rapid and diffuse hair loss (alopecia). Examination of his hair roots revealed dystrophic anagen hairs with dark bands, a characteristic sign of thallium poisoning. A toxicological investigation confirmed thallium exposure. The study reviewed the systemic symptoms, dermatological signs, and discussed the origins and physiopathology of thallium contamination.