What Is Acne?
Acne is a dermatological condition that arises when hair follicles under the skin become clogged. Oil, also called sebum, prevents skin from drying out, and dead skin cells plug the pores, which leads to the formation of lesions, commonly known as pimples. Commonly, the outbreaks occur on the face, chest, back, and shoulders. It is an inflammatory disorder of the skin that has sebaceous or oil glands that connect to the hair follicle and hair. In healthy skin, the sebaceous glands form sebum that pours on the skin surface through the pore, which opens in the follicle. When the body sheds skin cells, the keratinocytes rise to the top surface of the skin. In the case of acne sebum, the hair and keratinocytes stick together inside the pore, which prevents the keratinocytes from shedding. It prevents the sebum from reaching the surface of the skin. This mixture of cells and oil permits the bacteria on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles and result in swelling, heat, redness, and pain. As the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it lets in the bacteria, sebum, and skin cells into nearby skin, causing pimples.
What Is Occupational Acne?
Occupational and environmental acne is a skin condition associated with industrial exposure. It is probably one of the common causes of work-related skin disease. The different forms of occupational acne are oil acne, coal-tar acne, and chloracne. Oil acne and coal-tar acne are less common but still pose some problems in certain industries. Chloracne is the most significant problem. Various industrial or environmental compounds cause acne, including polyhalogenated hydrocarbons, coal tar and products, petrol, and other physical, chemical, and environmental agents. People working in the field of chemistry, machine, and electrical industry are at high risk of developing it.
The most common type of occupational acne in the clinic is comedones, which appear as papules, pustules, and cystic lesions. Topical or oral retinoic acids and oral antibiotics can be used in treatment. Taking preventive measures, improvement in working conditions, and educating the workers could eliminate occupational acne as a problem. Occupational acne is generally seen in workers exposed to insoluble cutting oils in the machine tool trades or in mechanics exposed to grease and lubricating oils. These workers developed folliculitis, sometimes called oil boils or acne, with multiple comedones and pustules on the arms and other covered areas of the body as a result of prolonged contact with oil. The lesions do not develop from bacteria present in oils.
What Are the Causes of Occupational Acne?
1. Oil Folliculitis - Occupational acne generally occurs in workers exposed to tool trades, insoluble cutting oils in the machine, or in mechanics exposed to grease, and lubricating oils. These workers developed folliculitis, also called oil boils or acne, with multiple comedones and pustules on arms and other covered areas of the body as a result of prolonged contact with oil.
2. Chloracne - Chloracne is refractory acne caused by certain halogenated aromatic compounds and can be accompanied by systemic toxicity. This acne represents sensitive indicators of biological response to these chemicals. Chloracne occurs in herbicide production workers and involves almost every follicular orifice on the face and neck with comedones, papules, and cyst-like lesions.
3. Granuloma - Granulomas present a chronic and focal inflammatory reaction. The granulomas are produced by beryllium and are allergic. Non-allergic granulomas are more common and represent the skin’s response to inoculated or implanted foreign materials like plant spines, wooden splinters, and silica.
How Is Occupational Acne Treated?
Treatment and prevention of occupational acne involve avoiding contact with greases and oils and the practice of ordinary hygienic measures. Chloracne is more severe and persistent than oil acne. With the introduction of plastics and the substitution of chlorinated hydrocarbons with synthetic resins, the occurrence of chloracne has decreased. Chloracne appears as multiple, closed comedones and pale yellow cysts. The lesions become more numerous as the severity of the disease increases. Later, inflammatory lesions appear along with larger cysts and abscesses. Scarring similar to chloracne is seen in cystic acne. Other manifestations include peripheral neuritis, hepatotoxicity, possible immune suppression, and carcinogenicity. Treatment of chloracne generally needs the use of oral antibiotics, acne surgery, and dermabrasion. The healthcare providers conclude that the treatment of chloracne is generally unsatisfactory, so prevention of exposure is necessary.
Coal tar workers are advised to avoid hazardous doses of exposure, receive training on how to keep their outwear clean, wear protective work clothes, frequently changing of work outfits, and use cleansers at workplaces; the workplace should be equipped with shower facilities and ventilation systems and undergoing regular health check-ups.
Oil acne can be treated with the favorable effects of systemic Tetracycline (antibiotic) for three months. Isotretinoin can also be prescribed for the treatment of oil acne and has favorable results. Avoiding contact with the causative factor is also one of the prevention methods. Moreover, additional protective measures are required, such as changing clothes and showering on a daily basis. With improved engineering control and more importance on personal hygiene, a decline in the prevalence of oil acne can be seen.
The control includes education and training about the hazards of the chemicals, occupational and personal hygiene, and methods to reduce exposure. Personal hygiene, including proper skin-washing techniques, reduces the risk of occupational acne. Workplaces should provide changing rooms and shower facilities, and workers should be encouraged to wear fresh outfits daily. Education and training are also necessary. Workers should also ensure that products used at work are properly labeled and that they know how to work safely with the products. Personal protective equipment, goggles, facemasks, gloves, aprons, etc., should be worn as required by the task and the products being used. Make sure that they are properly selected, as not all protective clothing provides protection against all chemical compounds. With growing technology online prescription acne services have emerged as a convenient and reliable option for individuals seeking effective treatment.
Conclusion:
Occupational acne is a severe health problem. It should be prevented by reducing or eliminating occupational exposure to the causative agents. Workplaces should evaluate the hazards that their workers and should make improvements in working conditions, take preventive measures, and educate the workers. Where possible, workplaces should substitute hazardous acne-causing products with non-hazardous products. The use of well-designed spray equipment may reduce the overspray of harmful chemicals. Installing barriers to prevent contact with the products also reduces exposure.
