Dermatitis is an inflammatory condition of the skin caused by contact with outside agents that can result in irritation, redness, cracking and blistering of the skin. It is the most common form of work-related skin disease suffered by health and social care professionals, with up to 1000 cases developing each year.
Different types of contact Dermatitis
There are many types of dermatitis, but they can generally be put into two distinct groups: Irritant Contact Dermatitis, and Allergic Contact Dermatitis.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis can occur quickly after contact with a strong irritant, or over a longer period of time from repeated contact with weaker irritants. Repeated and prolonged contact with something as seemingly innocuous as water (having wet hands for more than 2 hours per day, or washing the hands more than 20 times during the working day) can also cause irritant dermatitis.
Causes of irritant contact dermatitis:
- Wet work
- Solvents
- Oils and greases
- Dusts
- Wet cement
- Acids and alkalis
- Soaps, shampoos and detergents
- Some food
Allergic Contact Dermatitis occurs when a sufferer develops an allergic reaction to a substance. Once someone’s body is sensitised to a substance, any skin contact with that substance will cause an allergic reaction that can vary in its seriousness.
Causes of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
- Adhesives
- Hair dye
- UV cured printing inks
- Plants
- Wood dust
- Colophony
- Nickel
All employers have a responsibility to protect the health and welfare of their workers, and this includes making sure that they are not exposed to any substances that can impact negatively on their lives. The HSE recommends that all employers use the APC approach: avoid, protect, and check, so that this can reduce the chances of any of their employees suffering the painful and sometimes debilitating skin conditions.
What if you have suffered from dermatitis at work?
If you have suffered from any kind of dermatitis and it has occurred as a result of your employment, you should contact us today. If it can be proved that you brought the matter to your employer’s attention, but that still nothing was done to reduce the risk, then they could be liable to pay you compensation. Our solicitors are highly experienced in this field and will swiftly be able to inform you as to whether or not you have a valid case.