What are vesicants known for causing upon contact with skin?

Vesicants are chemical agents that, upon contact with the skin, are known to cause extreme pain and the formation of blisters. This is due to their mode of action; they damage the skin and underlying tissues, leading to severe irritation and blistering, which can cause significant discomfort. The pain associated with vesicant exposure is often immediate and intense, and the ensuing blisters can take time to heal, potentially leading to scarring or long-term skin damage.

In contrast, burns are often associated with other types of corrosive materials and do not fully encapsulate the specific effects of vesicants, which include blister formation and severe pain. Coughing and choking are more related to respiratory irritants rather than skin contact, and headaches typically stem from other classes of hazardous materials, such as those affecting the nervous system or causing chemical exposure. Thus, the primary defining characteristics of vesicants align closely with the symptoms of extreme pain and blistering upon contact with the skin.