What is contact dermatitis?
 
Contact dermatitis is inflammation of the skin caused by contact with a range of materials. These include detergents, toiletries, chemicals and even natural products like foods and water (if contact is prolonged or frequent). It can affect all parts of the body but is most common on the hands.

Contact dermatitis can be irritant or allergic. Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by things that dry out and damage the skin (e.g. detergents, solvents, oils and prolonged or frequent contact with water). Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when someone becomes allergic to something that comes into contact with his or her skin. Common causes include chemicals in cement, hair products, epoxy resins and some foods.

In severe cases it can prevent people from working or mean people have to change jobs. However if adequate precautions are taken, then in most cases this irritating and unsightly health problem can be avoided. The problem of occupational dermatitis can be addressed through your COSHH assessment, which is a legal requirement.
 
What are the high-risk jobs?
 
Dermatitis can affect anyone but the people who are most likely to get it include: -

• People who wash-up in a kitchen
• Hairdressers
• Construction workers
• Cleaners
• Healthcare workers

How can contact dermatitis be prevented?
 
Avoid contact with materials that cause dermatitis. No contact = no dermatitis. Take all the steps you can to avoid contact with materials that cause dermatitis, for instance, by substituting an irritant cleaning chemical with a safer alternative.

Protect the skin. This can be done by wearing gloves, drying hands thoroughly, providing soft cotton towels, supplying hand cream and by selecting the right gloves for the task.

Check for early signs of dermatitis and raise awareness.

For more information access the Health and Safety Executive’s ‘Preventing Contact Dermatitis at Work’ guidance booklet.

The Health and Safety Executive’s website has a comprehensive section on dermatitis.