Main Occupational Hazards - Skin Diseases

1.       SKIN DISEASES

      These are among the most widespread industrial health problems. Almost anything-chemicals, dirt, and oil, as well as germs-can irritate the skin. Chief troublemakers are petroleum products, such as machine oil, naphtha, and cutting oil compounds; solvents which include degreasers such as kerosene, gasoline, and trichlorethylene; alkalis, such as lime, caustic soda, and strong yellow soap; and plants, including poison ivy, sumac, and poison oak. Florists are particularly subject to skin irritation from plants.

Furriers may be affected by parahenylenediamine. Workers who use chromium in electroplating may develop chrome ulcers. While the list of possible skin afflictions that may develop in connection with work is an almost endless one, there are several important precautions you can use to avoid trouble. Immediately, after finishing any dirty or oily job, and also before eating lunch and leaving for the day, apply soap and water generously.

Special soaps may be required to re- move some substances that cling stubbornly or penetrate into the skin. Don't try to rub away oils that get on hands and face; this may only force them into the skin, clogging the pores, causing irritation and pimples. Wash off oil with soap and water, using repeated applications if necessary; then dry with a clean towel. Special ointments are available to cover the skin before contact with offending substances, providing protection and greatly simplifying the removal of some otherwise difficult-to-remove materials.

Gloves, sleeves, and aprons can afford protection. Pull sleeves over the cuffs of gloves to make certain no skin is exposed. Keep protective clothing clean; change it often. Do not use advertised ointments for any skin problems compounded by self-treatment. The self-treatment-actually overtreatment by a worried victim-may produces skin problems of its own. Over- treatment dermatitis is a common problem that confronts dermatologists -skin specialists to whose care serious victims often must be referred. If you have used the precautions mentioned above and still suffer because of certain oils or chemicals, you may have developed an allergy to them.

See your physician, who may be able to help with special de- sensitization treatment designed to increase your tolerance for specific materials. If this does not help, it may be essential that you move to another job. But let your doctor decide this.