engleski

Chronic irritant dermatitis

Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD), inflammation of the skin resulting from exposure to an exogenous agent found in the workplace, is the most common occupational skin disease, resulting in significant impact on the employment and quality of life. Up to 80% of cases of OCD are due to irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). Although the mechanisms and causative agents for ICD and allergic contact dermatitis vary, distinction between the two types of dermatitis may be clinically very difficult, especially in the chronic disease. Moreover, concomitant exposure to irritants and contact allergens is frequent, especially in the work environment so that the two processes may coexist. Chronic ICD develops slowly, as ”wear and tear” dermatitis, resulting from repeated exposure to weak irritants, when time between the insults is too short for complete restoration of the skin barrier. High-risk occupations especially prone to chronic ICD include those involving wet work (such as hair dressers, food handlers, florists, health- care workers), and occupations that involve exposure to different chemicals (metal and construction workers, painters etc.). Related occupational tasks, several individual irritants and recognized risk factors will also be addressed, along with discussion of prevention and management strategies.

occupational diseases, irritant contact dermatitis

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