Occupational Dermatoses

Abstract

Diseases of the skin caused by physical or chemical agents or conditions at work continue to outnumber all other work‐associated illnesses. They occur in most occupations and vary from a minor dermatitides to life threatening eruptions and benign and malignant neoplasms. Descriptive titles associated with particular illnesses allow the nosology of illnesses to be easily elucidated, for example, asbestos wart, cement burn, chrome holes, fiber glass itch, hog itch, oil acne, rubber rash, and tar smarts. In view of the variety of skin lesions known to result from contactants within the workplace, the term “occupational dermatoses” is preferred because it includes any abnormality of the skin resulting directly from or aggravated by the work environment.