This presentation discusses occupational dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin caused by workplace exposures. Occupational dermatitis can be either irritant or allergic contact dermatitis. Irritant dermatitis occurs due to direct contact with irritating substances, while allergic dermatitis occurs through skin sensitization and exposure to specific allergens. The presentation outlines criteria for diagnosing occupational dermatitis and reviews common irritants and allergens seen in various workplaces. It also discusses the pathogenesis of dermatitis, types based on severity, treatment approaches including avoidance of triggers, and prevention through proper skin care and hygiene.

1. REGIONAL LABOUR INSTITUTE
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
DIRECTORATE GENERAL FACTORY ADVICE SERVICES AND LABOUR INSTITUTES
SECTOR-47, FARIDABAD, HARYANA
PHONE: 0129-2437064, 2468044, FAX: 0129-2437064
E-mail: rlifaridabad@yahoo.com
PPT of Occupational Dermatitis
Chair Person- Dr. S. Saini (MBBS,AFIH,MBA)
Deputy Director (Medical)
Presented By- Dr. Imtiyaz Mohammed Ansari

2. • dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin
causing itching, pain, redness, swelling and
small blisters.

3. Occupational Dermatitis
4 of 7 criteria must be positive to conclude OCD
1- Clinical Appearance Is Consistent With CD.
2- Continuous Irritants Or Allergens are Present In Workplace.
3- Anatomic Distribution Of Dermatitis Is Consistent With Skin
Exposure To Chemicals In Course Of Various Job Tasks.
4- Temporal Relationship Between Exposure And Onset Of Symptoms Is
Consistent With CD.
5- No Occupational Exposures Are Excluded As Probable Causes Of
Dermatitis.
6- Dermatitis Improves Away From Work Exposure And Re-exposure
Causes Exacerbation.
7- There Are Positive-reaction And Relevant Patch Tests Performed
According To Established Guidelines

4. The outer layer of skin acts a
barrier against toxic substances.
If these substances remove fats
and oils from this layer, the
substances penetrate deeper
and combines with natural
proteins to produce an allergic
reaction.

5. Irritant Contact
90% of all dermatitis is
caused by direct contact
with a substance
It may occur randomly.
Allergic Contact
Once sensitised, the
problem is life long and any
exposure to the substance
will result in an attack.

6. Dermatitis Can be divided in to two type
according to severity.
• Acute
– superficial per vascular infiltration with lymphocytes,
monocots and small number of eosinophils.
– increased intercellular spaces between keratinocytes
(spongiosis): predominant histologic feature of CD.
• Chronic
– thickening of epidermis, irregular elongation of the rete
ridges and vertical thickening of collagen of papillary
dermis.

7. Some irritants and allergens
Irritants
• Detergents
• Solvents
• Engine oils
• Cutting fluid
• Lubricants
• Fibreglass
Allergens
• Salts
• Nickel
• Epoxy
• Resins
• Dyes
• Rubber

8. causes
The causes can be classified under five headings-:
PHYSICAL
Moisture
heat
cold
light
x-ray
other rays etc..
MECHANICAL
friction
pressure
and
trauma
CHEMICAL
inorganic acid
salts,
hydrocarbons
oil
Tar
and
dyes etc.

9. BIOLOGICAL
such as bacteria
fungi,
virus,
helminthes ,
insects etc.
PLANT PRODUCTS
Leaves
Stems
Flowers
Fruits
Vegetables
etc

10. TREATMENT
-Topical Creams is first-line treatment
-Corticosteroids.
-antibiotics should be used for secondary infections.
-antihistamines.
Other modes of therapy :
-UV light treatment
-immunomodulating agents, eg. MTX, AZA, and MMF

11. -Allergen identification to improve contact avoidance.
-Alternatives and substitutes to cosmetics should be offered.
-Excessive hand washing should be discouraged in hand
dermatitis.
-nonirritating or sensitizing moisturizers must be used after
washing

12. Prevention Checklist
Moisturize daily
Wear cotton, avoid wool and tight clothes
Take lukewarm showers, using mild soap or
nonsoap cleansers
Pat dry – do not rub
Apply moisturizer within 3 min. to “lock in”
moisture
Avoid extremes of heat / humidity and perspiration
Learn triggers and how to avoid them
Keep fingernails short
Remove carpets and pets from the home
Awareness about disease.
Maintain personal hygine.

13. Thanks for your time
Bye
Imtiyaz mohammed ansari