Dermatitis

There are various types of dermatitis including irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is likely to be caused by work if it appears on areas of skin that have been exposed to a substance at work. Another indication is if it improves when you are away from work, and recurs when you are again exposed to that substance on returning to work.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis and allergic dermatitis are similar, and may include:

• Itching and soreness
• Pain or burning sensation on affected area
• Redness of skin
• Crusting and cracking of skin
• Formation of small blisters or weals (itchy red circles with a white centre)

Occupational Acne

Occupational acne is an inflammation of the sebaceous glands that produce oil to lubricate the skin. Certain chemicals can block the pores of your skin causing accumulation of the oil and formation of a skin protein called keratin.

Acne predominantly occurs on your face, back and chest, your face usually being the most affected area. The eruptions consist of:

• little black spots which indicate blocked sebaceous ducts
• hard pimples and little pustules surrounded by an area of red inflammation

Pigmentary disorders

Toxins in substances used at work can cause pigmentary disorders although the condition has other causes. Pigmentary disorders are varied but can include the loss of melanin cells in your skin, causing light coloured patches to appear. Commonly affected areas are the face, elbows and knees, hands and feet.

Skin Cancer

Although skin cancer is commonly linked to over-exposure to the sun, it can also result from exposure to arsenic, industrial tar, coal, paraffin, and certain types of heavy oils. The symptoms are moles or pigmented spots with these characteristics:

• Asymmetrical (one half is not identical to the other)
• Borders that are irregular, uneven, or ragged
• Colour varies from one area to another
• Diameter is larger than 6 mm

If you have been diagnosed with a skin related disease which you believe to be a result of your occupation, please contact our solicitors or fill in our online claim form to discuss your case and our industrial illness solicitors will guide you through the claims process.