Skin rash, or dermatitis is the most commonly reported
occupational disease, it comes in many forms, can
be caused by many things, can persist for years and
can be very difficult to treat. Dermatitis even can
be disfiguring, painful, and disabling.
Usually, a skin rash caused by exposure to chemicals
will appear on exposed parts of the body the hands,
arms, face and neck.
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A rash on the hands and arms
is usually caused by handling harsh chemicals.
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A rash that appears on the face
and neck, and around the edges of clothing
is usually caused by irritating dusts or mists. |
Some skin rashes are caused by the poisonous effects
of a chemical that has been inhaled or ingested.
These rashes can appear anywhere on the body, not
just on exposed skin.
Chemical irritation is caused by the action of
a substance directly on the skin. The skin may
dry out causing cracked, stiff, or bleeding skin
or a rash may develop with blisters, blemishes
swelling or redness. The irritation can be treated
by stopping the exposure to the chemical and by
using a lotion both to protect the skin from further
damage and to moisten it. Gasoline, cements, and
degreasing solvents can cause chemical irritation.
Chemical sensitization is caused by an allergic
reaction the body can develop to many chemicals.
This allergy may exist already or may develop following
a few days, weeks or even years of exposure. Once
a person becomes sensitized, even very small amounts
of chemicals can bring out an allergic reaction
-- usually a blistering, swelling, itching, reddening
or acne-like condition. Cement and epoxy resins
can contain substances that cause chemical sensitization.
Mechanical and physical irritation can result
in burns, blisters or rashes. Materials like fiberglass,
hemp, or other fibrous matter can cause mechanical
irritation that can become painful and infected.
Heat can cause "prickly heat", where
the sweat glands clog up and the skin becomes waterlogged.
Sunlight or ultraviolet light can cause burns.
Chloracne is a particularly severe form of dermatitis.
It is caused by the toxic action of some very poisonous
chemicals as opposed to irritation or sensitization,
and is very slow to clear. It is painful and often
quite disfiguring.
Folliculitis and acne also can be caused by exposure
to chemicals at work. Folliculitis is the clogging
of pores around hairs on the head, face, arms,
thighs and hands. Industrial acne often occur
on any part of the body. Asphalt, tars, pitch or
creosote can cause these conditions.
Dermatitis can be prevented. If a chemical is causing severe problems, a safer
chemical often can be found.
Gloves and arm coverings should be provided to
help prevent skin problems. They should be carefully
selected to make sure they can protect against
the chemical being used. No one plastic or rubber
glove can protect against all chemicals. Aprons,
face shields, and shoe coverings should be used
if splashing of the chemical is likely to occur.
Work clothes should be cleaned regularly when
chemicals damaging to the skin are used. Clothing
contaminated with chemicals damaging to the skin
should be placed in closed containers for storage
until it can be discarded or until the chemicals
can be removed from the clothing. If the clothing
is to be cleaned to remove the chemicals, the person
performing the operation should be informed of
the chemicals' hazardous properties.
If a spill occurs, work clothes should be changed
immediately. An emergency shower should be in the
immediate vicinity to wash off toxic chemicals.
Creams to clean grease and oils from the hands
and arms should be available. DO NOT USE LIQUID
SOLVENTS -- they can cause a skin rash and can
be absorbed into the body, causing systemic poisoning.
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