Pathogenetic aspects and diagnostic methods of skin lesions in mining workers (literature review)

The most significant occupational hazards to which mining workers are exposed include the development of vibration-induced diseases, sensorineural hearing loss, radiculopathy, and occupational respiratory diseases. Disturbances in peripheral microcirculation, predominantly of a spastic nature, are frequently observed as a result of the peculiarities inherent in the labour process. These disturbances manifest as peripheral angiodystonic syndrome. The observed pathologies of microcirculation in this cohort of workers are associated with neurohumoral dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, and alterations in the rheological properties of blood. The pertinence of examining microcirculatory tissue systems in miners is substantiated by the implication of microcirculatory alterations in diverse pathological processes at the premorbid stage. The complex of production factors has a damaging effect on the epidermis and dermis, which clinically can be manifested in the form of cyanosis and marbling of extremities, hyperhidrosis of palms and feet, pastosity of fingers and back of hands, xerosis, and keratosis of skin, and mycoses.

The purpose of the work is to undertake a comprehensive review and analysis of the extant literature pertaining to the mechanisms of development and methods of diagnosis of skin lesions in mining workers.

The present review article was created using the following bibliographic databases: Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE and RINC. The article presents the pathogenetic aspects of skin lesions in mining workers, along with recent studies by Russian and foreign authors in the field of endothelial damage markers and peculiarities of neurohumoral regulation disorders. In addition, the mechanisms of epidermis lesions in mining workers are discussed. This paper presents an overview of the extant literature on diagnostic methods for the early detection of lesions in the hypodermis, dermis, and epidermis. The methods covered include classical techniques, as well as more modern approaches. These encompass skin thermometry with cold load (cold test), capillaroscopy, thermography, plethysmography, ultrasound scanning, laser Doppler flowmetry, dermatoscopy, and methods of assessing physiological parameters of the skin. The results of the analysis of the literature are presented in this study.

The implementation of advanced diagnostic technologies and preventive measures is of paramount importance for enhancing the health status in miners and preventing occupational and comorbid diseases.

Contribution:
Yatsyna I.V. ‒ research concept and design, editing;
Astakhova I.V. ‒ collection and processing of material, writing the text.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: May 23, 2025 / Accepted: November 3, 2025 / Published: December 19, 2025

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