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.  

Poinson Ivy - Skin care and the remedies for rashes

Poison ivy is responsible for about 350,000 cases of skin poisoning each year. The best protection is to be able to recognize and then to stay away from the plant. If you are not certain you can recognize poison IVY, don't hesitate to ask about it. 

The plant grows in the form of clinging vines, shrubs which trail on the ground, and erect shrubbery. It clings to stone and brick houses, climbs trees and poles, flourishes along fences, paths and roadways, and may be partially hidden by other foliage.

The leaves, one to four inches in length, are green and glossy in summer, red or russet in spring and fall. The leaves always grow in clusters of three; this is the one constant characteristic that makes poison ivy easy to recognize even though it assumes many forms and leaf colorings. "Leaflets three, let it be" is an old jingle and a good one to remember. 

The irritating substance in poison ivy is the oily sap in leaves, flowers, fruit, stems, bark, and roots. Most cases of ivy poisoning are due to direct contact with the plant-at any time, even in winter. Some come from handling clothing, garden tools, and pets contaminated by the oily lap. 

If you realize that you have accidentally handled poison ivy, wash your skin as soon as possible, preferably with yellow laundry soap. Lather several times and rinse in running water after each sucking. This removes or makes less irritating any oil that has not already penetrated the skin. Ivy poisoning manifests itself first in burning and itching.

A rash and swelling follow, and there may be blisters, large or small. The interval between contact and first symptom can vary all the way from a few hours to a week. If there are large blisters, severe inflammation or fever, or if the inflammation is on face or genital area, a doctor's help is needed. 

He will be able to relieve discomfort and guard against secondary infections until the attack subsides, as it eventually does. When there are only a few small blisters on hands, arms, or legs, apply compresses of very hot plain water for brief intervals. Or apply a com- press soaked in dilute Burow's solution (1 part to 15 parts of cool water). Your druggist can supply Burow's solution.