Introduction
Occupation is the workstation during which many people get harmed to the skin or any other body part. The workplace issues are managed by the physician, general practitioner, orthopedician, and dermatologist. Occupational contact dermatitis is a severe and harmful issue. Every worker is different and has different work tasks. The prevalence of occupational contact dermatitis is 20 %. Around 10 percent of people visit the dermatologist's clinic due to occupational hazards. The main body part affected by occupational health hazards is the hands. The article discusses contact dermatitis, occupational contact dermatitis, its types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
What Is Contact Dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is a skin condition due to the skin getting in touch with foreign exogenous substances. An individual may feel itching, pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation. The condition can be due to coming in touch with allergens or irritants. The allergens could be:
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Cosmetic.
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Latex.
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Plant.
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Metal.
The irritants include chemicals, solvents, soaps, detergents, or acids.
What Is Occupational Contact Dermatitis?
The common skin condition in which the human skin comes in contact with the chemical, physical, or biological agent at their workstation. The symptoms may be pain, swelling, redness, blisters, or burns. These symptoms can be in the visible areas not covered by clothes, such as arms, hands, or face. This occurs in people who even have or do not have a history of skin allergies.
What Are the Types of Occupational Contact Dermatitis?
The types of occupational contact dermatitis are:
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Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Occupational contact dermatitis occurs when an individual gets in touch with an allergic substance and develops an allergic reaction in the workstation. The allergens include chemicals (acids, disinfectants, dyes, or metals), plants, or latex.
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Irritant Contact Dermatitis: This occurs when an individual skin gets in touch with a substance and gets damaged. For example, when an individual's skin is exposed to water, like during regular hand washing, there is a high chance of getting a skin infection. This is due to friction or irritation.
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Photo Contact Dermatitis: This occurs when an individual gets in touch with a foreign substance, and sunlight triggers the condition. This is more common in the industries like the printing press and photography.
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Contact Urticaria: It also occurs due to exposure to a foreign substance. Certain foods, chemicals, and latex trigger the condition. This is more common in people working in agriculture, healthcare services, and food handling.
What Are the Causes of Occupational Contact Dermatitis?
The causes of occupational contact dermatitis are as follows:
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Chemicals: When people at their workstation get in touch with chemicals, it can cause contact dermatitis. Chemicals can be allergenic or irritant. Allergenic chemicals are nickel metal, dyes, preservatives, fragrances, or rubber.
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Plants: People who work in agriculture, gardening, and forestry can develop the condition. It can be due to poison oak or poison ivy.
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Latex: The healthcare workers such as laboratory personnel, physicians, or others who use latex-based products, such as gloves. They may develop allergies to latex.
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Metals: People are allergic to nickel, mercury, or cobalt. These metals are present in jewelry and various equipment.
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Dust or Powders: Some people are allergic to powders or dust, which may irritate them. People who work in wood factories, construction, and bakeries are more likely to develop contact dermatitis.
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Work Associated with Water: People who operate in water-related environments, such as handwashing, food handling, cleaning, and frequent glove use, may experience discomfort or friction.
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Sunlight: When an individual gets in touch with substances like chemicals or metals. Sunlight exposure can worsen the condition.
What Are the Occupations That Are at Risk of Getting Occupational Contact Dermatitis?
The occupations that are at risk of getting occupational contact dermatitis are:
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Health workers such as physicians, nurses, and lab technicians regularly use soap, water, and latex gloves, which can irritate their skin.
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Beauticians or hairdressers usually use hair sprays, dyes, shampoos, or chemicals that can cause allergic reactions.
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Food industry workers who wash plates and handle food have more chances to come in contact with irritants.
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Construction workers working in the building, painting, and others use glues and solvents, which can cause damage.
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Cleaners who clean floors and use chemicals and detergents which cause dermatitis.
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Metalworkers use nickel and mercury, which can cause skin reactions.
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Agricultural workers who work in agriculture and gardeners who use pesticides and fertilizers, which can cause skin damage.
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Printing workers use inks and chemicals which may cause skin irritation.
What Are the Symptoms of Occupational Contact Dermatitis?
The signs and symptoms of occupational contact dermatitis are as follows:
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Initially, the patient's skin will be red and inflamed.
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The rash, blisters, or scaly patches develop on the skin.
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The patient may feel a tingling sensation.
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Burning sensation.
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Puffiness and swelling.
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Pain.
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Skin cracking.
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Skin dryness.
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Discomfort.
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Itching.
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Scaly patches or skin thickening.
How Is Occupational Contact Dermatitis Diagnosed?
Physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests can diagnose occupational contact dermatitis. The overview of diagnostic tests for occupational contact dermatitis is as follows:
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Medical History: The healthcare provider may ask the patient about the duration of exposure to the chemicals or metals. The doctor will ask the patient about any past skin allergies.
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Physical Examination: The doctor may physically examine the affected skin area and check for redness, swelling, blisters, or rash.
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Patch Testing: The doctor may advise a patch test to check for skin allergies.
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Skin Biopsy: The doctor may perform a skin biopsy to confirm the condition.
How Is Occupational Contact Dermatitis Managed?
The treatment options for occupational contact dermatitis are as follows:
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The doctor advises the patient to avoid substances that may aggravate the condition.
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Topical corticosteroids or ointments reduce itching and inflammation.
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Regular application of moisturizers can decrease skin cracking and dryness.
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Oral antihistamines will decrease skin allergic reactions.
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Wet dressings on the affected area will soothe the skin.
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The doctor may use phototherapy or light therapy to control the ultraviolet light amount.
Conclusion
Occupational contact dermatitis is a severe and harmful skin allergy in which an individual gets in touch with foreign substances at work. The foreign substance could be chemicals, plants, metals, latex, dust, and sunlight. The workers should take care while handling these substances. The chemicals, acids, and metals should be handled with care by wearing protective clothing or equipment.
