Occupational diseases: the 3 most common skin diseases

The 3 most common occupational skin diseases

Skin diseases are the second most common occupational disease in the Czech Republic, according to statistics from the National Institute of Health. In many occupations you come into contact with irritants, dust, chemicals or extreme temperatures, which can lead to chronic skin problems. The most common occupational skin diseases include:

Allergic contact dermatitis.
This disease arises as an immune reaction to an allergen that your skin comes into repeated contact with. The most common triggers are metals (such as nickel), preservatives in cosmetics, fragrances, latex or chemicals used in industry. Contact allergy manifests itself in redness, itching, swelling or even blisters.

Irritant contact dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by repeated contact with irritants such as detergents, oils or dust. Unlike the allergic form, it does not arise as a reaction of the immune system, but as a result of repeated exposure to irritants that disrupt the skin's natural protective barrier.
It is often caused by cleaning agents, solvents, oils or cement. The skin becomes red, irritated, dry and may crack or become wet, which is painful and increases the risk of infection.

Contact urticaria
This disease manifests almost immediately after contact with an allergen or irritant. Itchy pimples, redness and swelling are typical, which sometimes disappear quickly but can lead to chronic problems with repeated contact.
It most commonly affects workers in the food, healthcare or cosmetics industries who come into contact with plant and animal proteins, latex or chemicals.
Most patients with occupational skin disease have dermatitis of the hands. Individual predispositions such as atopic eczema increase the risk.

Who is most at risk? Occupations at risk
Some occupations place more stress on the skin than others. If you work in one of these occupations, you should be particularly careful:
Healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, caregivers, paramedics)
- Frequent contact with disinfectants and sterilants.
- Wearing gloves can paradoxically contribute to skin irritation.
- Latex allergy is often encountered in these professions, which can lead to allergic contact dermatitis.
Hairdressers and beauticians
- Working with chemical paints, peroxide, varnishes and other products irritates the skin.
- Constant hand wetting and exposure to allergens (e.g. fragrances, preservatives) increase the risk of eczema.
Construction workers, painters, metal workers
- Contact with cement, solvents, oils and other aggressive substances causes irritant contact dermatitis.
- Dust and building materials can weaken the skin.
Food workers (bakers, cooks, butchers, waiters)
- Frequent contact with water, flour, citrus and other allergens can cause contact urticaria.
- Wearing gloves and frequent hand washing aggravates the skin condition.
Mechanics and automotive workers
- Contact with lubricants, oils, fuels and cleaning agents irritates the skin.
- Hands are often exposed to mechanical damage, which weakens the skin's protective barrier.
Farmers and gardeners
- Working with pesticides, fertilizers and plant allergens can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions or contact dermatitis.
- Constant contact with water, soil and dirt often leads to cracking of the skin and chronic eczema.
If any of these risks apply to you, don't forget about prevention - by protecting your skin appropriately, you can avoid unpleasant health problems.

The first symptoms
You may already have the first symptoms, but not pay enough attention to them. What to look out for?
- Dry, rough or cracked skin that is slow to heal.
- Frequent itching or burning that gets worse when you work.
- Redness and swelling, especially after contact with certain substances.
- Appearance of small blisters or scaling of the skin.
If you recognize any of these symptoms, it's time to take action. Don't wait for the problem to get worse!

How to protect your skin? Prevention is the key
The good news is that you can prevent most occupational diseases with the right protection. How to do it?
Use good quality barrier protection - creams that create an invisible protective layer on the skin help significantly.
Minimise contact with irritants - use gloves or other protective equipment where possible.
Moisturise and regenerate - apply moisturising and protective products regularly.
Maintain hygiene, but be sensible - too frequent washing with aggressive soaps can harm the skin.

Liquid gloves: skin protection that works
One of the most effective ways to protect your skin from damage at work is with Dermaguard barrier cream. This certified protective product works like an invisible liquid glove to protect your skin from:
- chemicals and cleaning agents,
- oils, lubricants and other aggressive substances,
- dust, metals and dirt,
- excessive drying and cracking.
Thanks to the special formula, it allows the skin to breathe, does not grease and also works for up to 4 hours! This means you can concentrate on your work without feeling heavy or leaky gloves. You can buy Dermaguard in our e-shop.

Conclusion.
Occupation-related skin problems are not just an aesthetic issue, but can affect your performance, comfort and overall health. Therefore, think about prevention and protect your skin from harmful influences.

Resources:

https://dermnetnz.org/topics/occupational-skin-disease
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9910518/
https://oshwiki.osha.europa.eu/en/themes/work-related-skin-diseases