Work-related Skin Symptoms Research Articles

Prevalence of work-related skin symptoms and associated factors among tertiary hospital workers exposed to cleaning agents in Southern Africa.

Working with cleaning products is associated with occupational contact dermatitis in health workers (HWs), but information on predictors for these outcomes is limited. This study investigated the prevalence of work-related skin symptoms (WRSS) and associated factors in HWs exposed to cleaning agents in two Southern African tertiary hospitals. A cross-sectional study of 697 HWs used an interviewer-administered questionnaire and assessed for atopy using Phadiatop. HWs' median age was 42 years, 77.0% were female and 42.5% were atopic. The prevalence of WRSS in the last 12 months was 14.8%, 12.3% had probable contact dermatitis (PCD) and 3.2% had probable contact urticaria (PCU). Technicians (ORadj 3.91) and tasks involving cleaning and disinfection of skin wounds (ORadj 1.98) were associated with WRSS in the past year. Factors associated with PCD included sterilizing instruments, disinfecting skin before procedures and use of wound adhesives. Factors associated with PCU included specimen preparation using formalin, medical instrument sterilization tasks, and skin/wound cleaning and disinfection. Appropriate glove use when performing patients' skin/wound care was protective against WRSS. Tasks involving cleaning and disinfecting patients' skin and wounds were associated with WRSS in HWs, especially when performed without gloves.

Work-related skin symptoms among Bulgarian dentists.

Dentists are at high risk of developing skin symptoms due to occupational contact with irritants and/or allergens. To assess the point prevalence of work-related skin symptoms and associated factors in Bulgarian dentists. A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-report questionnaire. A total of 4675 dentists filled the questionnaire (response 48.1%). The point prevalence of self-reported skin symptoms was 31.6%. According to logistic regression analysis, factors significantly associated with work-related skin symptoms included a personal history of atopic dermatitis (odds ratio [OR] 2.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.24-3.31), allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma (OR 1.85, 95%CI: 1.56-2.19), work experience >30 years (OR 2.21, 95%CI: 1.78-2.74), personal history of contact allergy (OR 1.79, 95%CI: 1.48-2.17), female sex (OR 1.87, 95%CI: 1.59-2.19), hand washing >8 times a day (OR 1.32, 95%CI: 1.03-1.69), daily contact ≥4 hours with protective gloves (OR 2.09, 95%CI: 1.64-2.67), and use >10 pairs of gloves per day (OR 1.51, 95%CI: 1.11-2.04). Bulgarian dentists have a high prevalence of work-related skin symptoms. History of atopic dermatitis, prolonged work experience, and protective gloves use were the strongest risk factors.

Skin reactions among Bulgarian dental students: A self-report questionnaire survey.

Dental students are at high risk of developing adverse skin reactions following practical work during the dentistry degree program. They encounter multiple irritants and allergens that may cause skin reactions on exposed parts of the body, notably the hands. To estimate the prevalence of skin reactions related to the pre-clinical and clinical training courses of the dentistry program and associated risk factors in Bulgarian dental students. A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-report questionnaire. A total of 467 dental students completed the questionnaire (response 51.8%). The prevalence of self-reported skin symptoms was 21.2%. According to logistic regression analysis, the most important risk factors for work-related skin symptoms were a personal history of atopic dermatitis (odds ratio [OR] 3.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.99-7.72), allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma (OR 1.94, 95%CI: 1.03-3.68), personal history of contact allergy (OR 2.19, 95%CI: 1.06-4.55), and hand washing >16 times a day (OR 2.42, 95%CI: 1.06-5.52). The results of this study suggest that work-related skin symptoms are frequent among dental students and indicate the need to establish effective primary preventive programs for occupational skin disorders at a national level.

Recent Trends in Occupational Contact Dermatitis.

Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) remains prevalent among workers and impacts quality of life and workability. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances in occupational contact dermatitis as well as potential hazardous agents in the workplaces causing OCD. The review covers new developments in the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and management of occupational contact dermatitis. This article also provides updated information on the prevalence of work-related skin symptoms and on new contact allergens among working population. It is emphasized that in the context of prevention of OCD, special attention should be focused on the identified high-risk occupational groups, especially healthcare workers and hairdressers starting with the apprentices. Current approaches include working out the standards and guidelines to improve the education, knowledge, diagnosis, and management of OCD based on a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists and an employer.

Airborne irritant contact dermatitis and conjunctivitis after occupational exposure to chlorothalonil in textiles

Chlorothalonil (tetrachloro-1,3-benzenedicarbonitrile, CAS 1897-45-6) is a pesticide that has been on the market for many years. It is used as a fungicide in agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture; as a wood preservative; and in paint. We report an epidemic of airborne irritant contact dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and upper airway complaints among seamstresses in a Portuguese trailer tent factory, which we attribute to chlorothalonil. All exposed workers had work-related skin symptoms. After patch testing, we showed that none of these were of allergic origin. Instead of allergic reactions, we noticed a delayed type of irritation after 72 hr to chlorothalonil and to the textile extracts containing high concentrations of chlorothalonil. Although allergic and irritant contact dermatitis from chlorothalonil has been described before, this is, as far as we know, the first time that a delayed type of dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and upper airway irritation after exposure to chlorothalonil in tent-cloth is described.

Skin symptoms and work‐related skin symptoms among grape farmers in Crete, Greece

Grape farmers are exposed to a variety of agents capable of inducing occupational skin disease. We conducted a study to measure the prevalence of skin symptoms and work-related skin symptoms among grape farmers in the Malevisi region of Crete and to provide data on associated risk factors. One hundred twenty grape farmers and 100 controls participated in the study. The protocol consisted of a questionnaire, skin prick tests for 16 common allergens, and measurement of specific IgE antibodies against 8 allergens. Self-reported itchy rash (OR, 2.31; 95%CI, 1.10-4.84, P<0.05) within the last 12 months, and work-related itchy rash (OR, 4.08; 95%CI, 1.01-20.33, P<0.05) were significantly higher in grape farmers than in controls, after adjusting for age and sex. Sensitization to pollens (OR, 4.20; 95% CI, 1.41-12.82, P<0.01) and allergic rhinitis (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.21-8.28, P<0.05) were found to be significantly associated with self-reported itchy rash in the grape farmers group. Grape farmers reported skin symptoms more frequently than non-exposed controls, and IgE-mediated sensitization to pollens was found to be significantly associated with the reported symptoms. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of specific occupational agents on skin diseases among grape farmers.

Skin problems among fiber-glass reinforced plastics factory workers in Japan.

Two surveys, one in winter the other in summer time, examined the skin problems of the entire manual workers (N=148) from 11 small-to-medium sized fiber-glass reinforced plastics (FRP) factories located in Kyushu, Japan. The workers were exposed to unsaturated polyester resin, including styrene and auxiliary agents such as cobalt naphthenate, hardeners such as methyl ethyl ketone peroxides, glass fiber and dust including shortened glass fiber and plastic particles. Eighty-seven workers (58.8%) reported having skin problems (mainly itching or dermatitis) since they started to work in FRP manufacturing and 25 workers had consulted a physician because of their skin problems; one worker was forced to take sick leave because of his severe dermatitis. History of allergic diseases and shorter occupational period (duration of employment) in a FRP factory were associated with greater probability of having a history of work-related skin symptoms. Workers in factories where dust-generating and lamination sites were located in different buildings were significantly less likely to have a history of skin problems than those in factories where the two sites were located in the same building. Of the 67 workers examined in both seasons closed to double the prevalence of dermatitis was found in summer (23.3%) than winter (13.4%).

Metalworking Fluid Hand Dermatitis.

In a household appliance plant, several rinse-free lubricating fluids have been used instead of neat mineral oils since 1994: mixtures of isoparaffinic hydrocarbons with 9 to 14 carbons per molecule. As such they denature keratin, irritate and defat the skin, and remove water from it. Work gloves have been worn over plastic gloves and separate, reusable, cotton inner gloves have been added to absorb sweat since skin problems were first recognized in 1994. All 74 males (mean +/- SD, 38.8 +/- 8.0 years) who work with the fluids were interviewed and given cutaneous examinations when indicated. While 4 cases of severe dermatitis and 31 cases of mild dermatitis were identified, 28 individuals gave a history of similar problems since the use of lubricating fluids. Their symptoms were typical of primary skin irritation. The hands were the commonly affected region (63 of 63 cases: 100%), followed by the thighs (15.9%) and trunk (11.1%). The work-related skin symptoms identified were less common in workers who immediately removed the liquid with soap and water, when it is spilled on the hands, than in those who did not, but the difference was not statistically significant (7/23 (30.4%) vs. 28/51 (54.9%), p=0.051 by chi-square test). Since skin contact with metalworking fluids (MWF) is often unavoidable, good personal hygiene is important in minimizing potential adverse health effects. Health education thus remains the most important preventive measure against irritant contact dermatitis among workers handling MWFs.

Work-related skin and airway symptoms among Swedish dentists rarely cause sick leave or change of professional career

Dentistry usually is 'wet work' with risk of damage to the skin barrier, and the hands may be exposed to skin irritants and contact-sensitizing substances used in dental materials or gloves. Airway irritants may also be present. This study assessed the consequences of work-related skin and airway symptoms among dentists in terms of contact with health authorities, sick leave, or changes in the professional career. A questionnaire on these factors was answered by more than 3000 Swedish dentists. Only 6% of the respondents had consulted a physician, although 22% had noted work-related skin symptoms. In 2% the skin symptoms had caused sick leave, and about 2% had reported their skin symptoms as an occupational disease. Two per cent had consulted a physician owing to work-related airway symptoms, which is a minor part of the 13% who had experienced such symptoms when in contact with dental materials. Twenty-five dentists (<1%)had been on sick leave because of work-related airway symptoms. Only 19 dentists reported change of activities or occupation owing to work-related skin or airway symptoms, and in most cases these symptoms only contributed to their decision. In summary, whereas sick leave in dentists because of musculoskeletal problems may be common, the present study shows that this is not the case for workrelated skin or airway symptoms, and such symptoms seldom affect the dentists' professional career.

Seafood Allergy In South Africa - Studies in the Domestic and Occupational Setting

Background: Increased consumption of seafood due to the promotion of a healthy diet and increased processing of seafood to meet these domestic consumption needs, has lead to more frequent reporting of allergic reactions. The spectrum of seafood allergy associated with domestic and occupational exposure in the South African setting was investigated. Methods/data base: In vitro studies were conducted on sera of 80 subjects reporting allergic symptoms associated with ingesting seafood. The distribution of positive immunoglobulin E (IgE) responses was evaluated (by UniCAP-RAST) as well as patterns of concurrent reactivity and cross-reactivity (by Western-blotting) to different seafood groups, commonly encountered in South Africa. The contribution of occupational factors was investigated through a postal survey of 68 seafood-processing workplaces. Results: Patterns of IgE sensitization indicate that the majority of subjects (50%) were positive to crustaceans, 30% to molluscs, and 20% to fish species. More than half of the individuals reacted to one seafood group, 36% to two seafood groups, and 11% to all three seafood groups. The complexity of immune responses to finfish and mollusc species was evident in the different allergen profiles obtained for fresh and cooked seafood. The strongest immune response among the four tested fish species was to hake ‐ the most common seafood processed in workplaces and therefore likely to pose an allergenic hazard to workers in the seafood processing industry. Among seafood processing factories the prevalence of work-related skin symptoms per workplace was substantially higher (0%‐100%) than that for asthmatic (0%‐5%) and other allergic symptoms (0%‐37%). Conclusions: Our preliminary investigations into the spectrum of seafood allergy in South Africa indicate that the potential of local seafood species in causing sensitization, either through ingestion, skin contact or inhalation are important considerations when investigating seafood allergy in the domestic or occupational setting. ACI International 2001; 13:204‐210

Seafood processing in South Africa: a study of working practices, occupational health services and allergic health problems in the industry.

The work practices, occupational health services and allergic health problems among workplaces which process seafood in Western Cape province of South Africa were examined. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 68 workplaces that were sent a self-administered postal survey questionnaire. Workplaces reporting a high prevalence of work-related symptoms associated with seafood exposure were also inspected. Forty-one (60%) workplaces responded to the questionnaire. The workforce consisted mainly of women (62%) and 31% were seasonal workers. Common seafoods processed were bony fish (76%) and rock lobster (34%). Major work processes involved freezing (71%), cutting (63%) and degutting (58%). Only 45% of workplaces provided an on-site occupational health service and 58% of workplaces conducted medical surveillance. Positive trends were observed between workplace size and activities such as occupational health service provision (P = 0.002), medical surveillance programmes (P = 0.055) and reporting work-related symptoms (P = 0.016). None of the workplaces had industrial hygiene surveillance programmes to evaluate the effects of exposure to seafood. Common work-related symptoms included skin rashes (78%), asthma (7%) and other non-specific allergies (15%). The annual prevalence of work-related skin symptoms reported per workplace was substantially higher for skin (0-100%) than for asthmatic (0-5%) symptoms. The relatively low prevalence of employer-reported asthmatic symptoms, when compared to epidemiological studies using direct investigator assessment of individual health status, suggests likely under-detection. This can be attributed to under-provision and under-development of occupational health surveillance programmes in workplaces with less than 200 workers. This is compounded further by the lack of specific statutory guidelines for the evaluation and control of bio-aerosols in South African workplaces.

Work related skin symptoms in california veterinarians

Work related skin symptoms in california veterinarians

A questionnaire study of road pavers' and roofers' work-related skin symptoms and bitumen exposure.

Skin contact with the components in asphalt and bitumen can lead to irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, but few data are available in the dermatologic literature on the skin symptoms caused by work with bitumen. In addition, working methods have changed markedly during recent decades. A questionnaire was delivered to 50 roofers and 101 road pavers. The questionnaire dealt with skin symptoms, symptoms caused by solvent products, the use of personal protection, smoking, eating habits, work conditions, changing and cleaning of overalls, etc. Forty-eight per cent of the road pavers and 58% of the roofers responded to the questionnaire. Relatively high percentages of work-induced skin irritation were reported by both the roofers (44%) and the road pavers (31%); 22% of the road pavers had dermatitis often or sometimes compared with 15% of the roofers. The hands, arms, face, and lower extremities were the most common sites affected. In addition to bitumen products, the road pavers considered amine adhesion-improving agents for paving and naphtha and solvents used in machine repairs, to be the main causes of their skin symptoms. The skin problems of the roofers were caused by man-made mineral fibers, cutback bitumen, and hot bitumen burns. Roofers endure greater exposure to chemicals than road pavers. Certain components, e.g. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bitumen, can be absorbed through the skin. Skin exposure should be lowered by keeping the tools, working clothes, shoes, and gloves clean. Overalls and gloves are recommended to be changed at least once a week. Water laundering is not sufficient in dissolving bitumen from overalls and underwear. Cleaning the skin with solvents or naphtha is not recommended, as they are skin irritants.

P063 Road pavers' and roofers' work-related skin symptoms

P063 Road pavers' and roofers' work-related skin symptoms

Delayed-type allergenicity of triforine (Saprol).

The delayed-type allergenicity of triforine (Saprol), 1,4-bis (2,2,2-trichloro-1-formamidoethyl) piperazine, was studied. In a mass examination of chrysanthemum growers among whom triforine was commonly used, the highest rate of positive patch test reaction was seen to triforine (17%) among the 7 pesticides and chrysanthemum extracts tested. A higher prevalence rate of work-related skin symptoms was seen in subjects with a positive patch test reaction to triforine (44%) than in those with negative reactions to all allergens tested (15%) (p < 0.05). 12 subjects (67%) with positive patch test reactions to triforine were also positive to dichlorvos (DDVP), with a high kappa coefficient (0.65). The grading of guinea pig maximization test to triforine was grade IV (66%), defined as "strong". Cross-sensitization between triforine and dichlorvos was also shown. The present results confirm that triforine is capable of including delayed-type allergy among chrysanthemum growers and of showing cross-reactivity with dichlorvos.