Skin diseases are a common work-related illness. In fact, in 2018 the Health and Safety Executive estimated there are over 7,000 new cases of self-reported skin problems annually.
Furthermore, according to the Labour Force Survey there are an estimated 17,000 workers in the UK suffering from skin problems they believe to have been caused or aggravated by their working conditions.
According to The Health and Occupation Reporting network’s EPIDERM scheme the majority of these cases are contact dermatitis caused by exposure to allergens or irritants. Substances that can cause the condition include detergents, solvents, cements or even water. However, according to dermatologists, contact with soaps and cleaning materials and persistent work with wet hands are the commonest causes of occupational contact dermatitis.
Some of the occupations with the highest rates of occupational skin disease include floristry, hairdressing, beautician work, food preparation and certain sections of the manufacturing and health-care related industries.
2008 to 2017: 5 Occupations with Highest Dermatitis Rates
Other Occupation-related Skin Diseases
EPIDERM reports that, after contact dermatitis, the following are some of the commonest occupational skin diseases:
- Urticaria
- Folliculitis
- Acne
- Infective skin diseases caused by exposure to bacteria or fungi
- Mechanical skin disease
- Skin cancer
Understanding Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is typically understood as a condition in which inflammation of the skin is caused by contact with a chemical or other physical agent. The disease is further categorised in the following two ways:
- Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD): ICD is defined by changes to the skin that are caused by cells becoming damaged as a result of contact with irritant substances – i.e. the changes occur as a result of direct contact rather than immunological responses to allergic agents.
- Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD): ACD is diagnosed in cases where contact dermatitis is caused as a result of an immunological response to an allergen. There is usually a delay between causative contact and the development of symptoms.
Click on the links below to find out more about:
- Types of dermatitis
- Symptoms of dermatitis
- Causes of dermatitis
- Jobs at risk of dermatitis
- Treatment of dermatitis
Employers have a legal duty to provide protection against prolonged exposure to substances that could cause dermatitis and to provide information on any risks involved. If they do not, and you develop dermatitis as a result, you could be entitled to claim compensation.
Dermatitis Compensation Claims
Thompsons Solicitors is an award-winning personal injury firm and we recover over £1 million every week for our clients. If you are suffering from dermatitis due to poor working conditions, our No Win No Fee lawyers have the experience to help you make a successful claim.
How much could you claim? Call 0800 0891331 for free legal advice.