What type of chemical agent causes severe skin irritation and redness?

• A. Blister agent
• B. Nerve agent
• C. Choking agent
• D. Blood agent

Answer: (A)

Blister agents are vesicants that chemically burn the skin, causing severe irritation, redness, and eventually blister formation. Sulfur mustard is a classic example. This pattern—intense skin irritation and redness leading to blisters—is the hallmark of blister agents, which primarily affect skin and mucous membranes and can also harm eyes and the respiratory tract with exposure.

Nerve agents disrupt the nervous system, producing signs like pinpoint pupils, salivation, muscle twitching, and loss of coordination. Choking agents irritate and damage the lungs, causing coughing and breathing difficulty. Blood agents interfere with cellular respiration and can cause rapid metabolic failure, not primarily skin burns. Therefore, blister agents best fit the described symptom. For safety, remember prompt decontamination: remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin with soap and water.