Derived from the Greek podo (foot) and konia (dust), and refers to a condition in which some nano-particles enter the bloodstream through skin causing a condition characterized by gross enlargement of areas of the body (mostly limbs) by blockage of the lymphatic system or by a non-parasite immune system response. This condition is similar to elephantiasis, which is caused by parasite blockage of the lymphatic system.
Syn., nonfilarial elephantiasis