Occupational Skin Diseases

Question 1

Describe the protective properties of the skin?

Answer 1

epidermis - provides protective layer

Question 2

What can damage the skin?

Answer 2

Water/Chemicals
- weaken protection
- Entry to dermis-capillaries
- Block glands

Question 3

What are occupational skin diseases?

Answer 3

Most common problem
- 40% of all reported work related cases
- Loss of time, reassignment
- Cost $22 million/year in USA

Question 4

What is contact dermatitis?

Answer 4

Most common skin reaction in industry
90% of occupational skin problems
Redness, swelling, blistering
Crusting and scaling

Question 5

What are the types of contact dermatitis?

Answer 5

1. Primary irritant contact dermatitis
   - non allergic
2. Allergic contact dermatitis
   - Delayed hypersensitivity reaction
   - Sensitized individuals to allergens
   e.g. Rubber gloves (health workers)

Question 6

What are possible irritants?

Answer 6

1. Acids/bases-immediate inflammation- KOH
2. Allergens: epoxy resin, chromates

Question 7

Name mechanical causes of OSDs?

Answer 7

1. Friction-calluses, abrasions, lichenification
2. Pressure-blisters
3. Vibration-white finger/Raynaud’s disease

Question 8

Physical causes of OSDs?

Answer 8

Heat-burns, sweat (miliaria, intertriginous rashes)
Cold-frost bite
Radiation-radiation dermatitis, skin cancer

Question 9

Biologic causes of OSDs?

Answer 9

1. Plants - poison ivy
2. Insects - lyme disease (insect bites)
3. Bacteria - Anthrax
4. Viruses - herpetic whitlow (dentists)

Question 10

What are vesicant effects (blistering)?

Answer 10

‘alkylating’ properties e.g. ‘mustard’ compounds, and some alkyl organometallic compounds can produce severe blistering of the skin

Question 11

What is oil folliculitis?

Answer 11

Acne like lesions induced by cutting oils.

Question 12

Name types of pigment changes?

Answer 12

hyper/hypo

Question 13

Name agents that cause depigmentation?

Answer 13

1. Mon benzyl ether of hydroquinone used in rubber industry
   - most common cause of permanent depigmentation
2. Para tertiary butyl phenol can cause a depigmentation called vitiligo. (chemical structure resemble the amino acid tyrosine which is a precursor of the skin pigment melanin.

Question 14

Name skin cancers of OSDs and their causes?

Answer 14

1. Squamous cell carcinoma
   - Sunlight,Tar -Roofers
2. Scrotal cancer
   - Hydrocarbons/Soot-Chimney workers
   - Lubricating oils- machinists