OCCUPATIONAL DERMATOSES--A PROGRAM FOR PHYSICIANS--NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only. Supplemental Slides on Occupational Dermatology Case Studies (Contributed by Susan Nedorost, M.D., Lakewood, OH.)
Workers frequently develop a secondary contact allergy to topical products such as antibiotics that they use to treat their work-related dermatitis. This dental assistant with hand dermatitis was allergic to glutaraldehyde that she used to sterilize instruments, and to neomycin. (allergy to ethyl acrylate)
Dermatitis primarily on the non-dominant hand develops in workers who grip an object while performing a more delicate task, often with a tool, with the dominant hand. This right-handed optician recalled only after patch-testing positive to ethyl acrylate that he sometimes held heated acrylic frames in his left hand, which caused his dermatitis. (allergy to hair dye and permanent wave solution)
This hair stylist with hand dermatitis was allergic to para-phenylenediamine (hair dye) and glyceryl monothioglycolate (permanent wave solution). The latter penetrates both vinyl and rubber gloves and allergy may be a cause of permanent disability. Page last updated: April 17, 2001
Page last reviewed: April 17, 2001 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |