Occupation Health and Safety: Beauticians and Hairdressers

There are two types of contact dermatitis. The first one is called allergic contact dermatitis which is a type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction. It ensues after sensitization and consequent contact with an allergen. The second type is called irritant contact dermatitis. This is usually an inflammatory response that happens after damage to the skin mostly by chemicals (Frosch, Menne? & Lepoittevin, 2006).

There are many causes of Occupational dermatitis. Contact with allergens can arise from the immersion of legs or hands. It can also result for handling substances that are contaminated. Dust in the air like cement and splashing can also be a strong contributor of occupational dermatitis. Some of the most common irritants comprise of water, machining oils, acids, and alkali, detergents, and soaps, solvents and abrasives as well as oxidizing and reducing agents. Some of the common allergens consist of cosmetics; mainly hair dyes, fragrances, and preservatives, textiles, metals, rubber additives, epoxy resin adhesives as well as plants such as sunflowers and tulips (Chew & Maibach, 2006).

The presentation and pattern of skin change may give an indication of the most likely irritant. Dust irritants are more likely to cause problems in areas where dust may accumulate for example the collar line, flexural areas, and the belt line. Irritants which are essentially in vapor form have a high probability of affecting the neck and face. Some of the most prevalent symptoms of occupational dermatitis comprise of burning sensation emanating from the affected area, redness of skin, itching of an affected area, hyperpigmentation, crusting and scaling of skin, fissures as well as vesicles on an affected area (Royal College of Physicians of London, & NHS Plus (Programme), 2009).

Any assessment that is aimed at assisting the patient suffering from occupational dermatitis must encompass a full occupational history. This will essentially include such things as the job that the patient undertakes, materials involved, timing of rash with relation to work, location of rash as well as amount of exposure, duration, and frequency of contact. Most of the times, clinical finding, and history prove enough to make a diagnosis except in special circumstances where there are recurring distressing symptoms even after treatment and in a situation where there are strong suspicions of occupational dermatitis and the history available is vague (Blenkinsopp, Paxton & Blenkinsopp, 2005). 

As far as management of occupational dermatitis is concerned, it is more prevented than cured and the cost of prevention outweighs the costs of a cure. With that being said, the irritant producing the undesirable effect on the skin should be identified. After the identification, measures should be taken to ensure that there is not further contact between the skin and the irritant. This can be done by the employment of protective gloves depending on the environment and the irritant. Washing hands with products which do not contain perfumes and drying them afterward can also be a step in the right direction as far as management of occupational dermatitis is concerned. In milder cases, avoidance of the irritant may be the only step needed to guarantee healing since dermatitis will then resolve in roughly twenty-one days. In case of chronic forms of dermatitis, an individual can take medication like the topical corticosteroid cream. The period within which this steroid is used is dictated by the severity of the condition (Health Care Health & Safety Association of Ontario, & Occupational Safety and Health Council of Ontario, 2005).

To prevent this disease, the employment must ensure that the workplace is safe at all times. Employees must avoid direct contact between hands and substances. Where possible, workers must stop wet work and use of irritant chemicals. Employees should ensure that they are aware of health and safety hazards linked with each substance. Finally, employees should be educated. These mitigating actions are appropriate for first world countries like the United States of America. I would recommend that stiffer penalties be applied on employers who fail to create a safe working environment for all workers. This will ensure that all measures are taken by the employer to protect the employees (National Library of Medicine (U.S.), & National Institutes of Health (U.S.), 2000).

All in all, Occupational dermatitis is a skin disorder that involves the inflammation of the skin. Some of the common symptoms comprise of itching and redness of the skin. The skin disorder can be managed by taking medication and avoiding the irritant. Workers should take protective measures such as learning health and safety hazard. 

References

Blenkinsopp, A., Paxton, P., & Blenkinsopp, J. (2005). Symptoms in the pharmacy: a guide to the management of common illness. Malden, Mass., USA, Blackwell Pub. https://site.ebrary.com/id/10300708.

Chew, A.-L., & Maibach, H. I. (2006). Irritant dermatitis. Berlin, Springer. https://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=303853.

Health Care Health & Safety Association of Ontario, & Occupational Safety and Health Council of Ontario. (2005). Occupational dermatitis. [Toronto], Health Care Health & Safety Association of Ontario. https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/300/health_care_health_safety_assn_on/occupational_dermatitis/bskne350.p

Frosch, P. J., Menne?, T., & Lepoittevin, J.-P. (2006). Contact dermatitis. Berlin, Springer. https://site.ebrary.com/id/10134019.

National Library Of Medicine (U.S.), & National Institutes Of Health (U.S.). (2000). Dermatitis. Washington, D.C., U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dermatitis.html.

Royal College of Physicians of London, & NHS Plus (Programme). (2009). Dermatitis: occupational aspects of management : a national guideline. London, Royal College of Physicians.