|  | Conditions Treatments | Poisoning

Agent Orange Symptoms

Agent Orange, coded as 2-4-5-T and 2-4-D, is an herbicide that was originally developed in the US to manage weed control. Agent Orange is manufactured by combining a 1-124-1 mixture (which is measured by weight) of n-butyl esters of 2-4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2-4-D) and n-butyl esters of 2-4-5 trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2-4-5-T). The chemicals in Agent Orange are retained in an individual's fat cells for an extended period of time; a person may remain asymptomatic for weeks or months, or symptoms may arise within days.

  1. Chloracne

    • A clinical sign of dioxin exposure, chloracne is one of the first visible signs of a toxic level of exposure to the chemicals within Agent Orange. Symptoms include lesions behind the ears, in armpit areas, on face as well as in the groin area. Also, pustules, blackheads, and cysts (often yellow in color) are commonly seen in these same regions. With extreme exposure, lesions can occur on the legs, feet, shoulders, chest, arms, hands, stomach and back areas.

    Mood Alterations

    • Psychological disorders such as mania, severe depression, irritability, violent tendencies, suicidal ideation, personality changes, memory concerns, lack of an ability to concentrate, extreme psychosis and anger outbursts are all possible symptoms of Agent Orange toxicity.

    Gastrointestinal Problems

    • Gastric ulcers, weight loss--including anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, hepatitis, abnormal cell growth in the gastrointestinal region, stomach pains and possible hematemesis (vomiting up blood)--are all possible side effects for an individual suffering from Agent Orange exposure.

    Fatigue

    • Experiencing a great weight loss in a short period of time, chronic fatigue or excessive tiredness or hypersomnolence (when an individual is in a constant state of drowsiness), accompanied by chills and fever, can be symptoms of Agent Orange toxicity.

    Neurological Concerns

    • Sleep apnea (where the sleep is disrupted by periods of not breathing, tingling or numbness of the extremities), headaches, migraines, excessive fidgeting, uncontrollable twitching, non-coordination, and an inability to control body movements may be suffered by those exposed to Agent Orange.

    Birth Defects

    • Veterans, non-military individuals and animals exposed to Agent Orange who have children may notice them experiencing any one or more of the following: cleft palate, premature births, miscarriages, missing or displaced body parts, organ failure, missing organs, club foot, missing eyes, hemorrhaging of the intestines and enlarged head.

Poisoning - Related Articles