Like other researchers, the CCOHS notes that allergic reactions including inflammation, redness and formation of blisters may only appear after prolonged exposure to possible allergens; for some this may mean exposure to a substance for a few days before symptoms arise, for others exposure throughout a lifetime may result in some minor dermatitis (CCOHS, 10007). Typically, as others have confirmed, exposure is first necessary, then a process referred to as sensitization, where a worker may become "sensitized" to a compound they work with, the penetration of the epidermal layer of the skin, following an allergic reaction, a process which can take up to four weeks (CCOHS, 1997).
This process results when allergenic compounds binds to proteins naturally occurring in the skin, and lymphocytes or protective agents within the body react to protect the skin from damage; tissue-damaging chemicals called "lymphokines" may be released, which ultimately result in the symptoms commonly associated with allergic contact dermatitis, including: "Pain, swelling, redness and the formation of blisters" (CCOHS, 1997, p. 1). Pre-existing irritant contact dermatitis may lead to an increased prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis as can cuts in the skin or other tears in the skin which may provide for faster penetration of allergenic compounds (McFadden & Basketter, 2000). Penetration of the epidermal layer of the skin is necessary for allergic contact dermatitis to incur symptoms in the affected individual, as penetration of the skin leads to binding of toxic substances to lymphocytes in the system contributing to the outbreak of redness, swelling or blisters (McFadden & Basketter, 2000).
Among those most at risk include cabinet makers, carpenters, construction and automobile workers, agricultural workers and any workers working with substances that require use of latex gloves or exposure to chromates, rubber, resins, cobalt, cement, chromium, formaldehyde or woods (CCOHS, 1997, p. 1).
The Royal College of Physicians (2005) and other international organizations including the EPA in Ireland are working to providing legislation that focuses on the potential causes for and risk factors for allergic contact dermatitis among construction workers and among manufacturers that may produce substances with toxic agents that may lead to sensitization (CCOHS, 1997, p. 1). Allergic contact dermatitis is more likely to occur in workers or other people who are chronically exposed to a known irritant, those who develop even a single case of ICD or irritant contact dermatitis and those with hereditary risk factors, including a high incidence of allergies within one's family history (Choi, Lee & Cho, 2000, p. 44). In the next section, a review of irritant contact dermatitis is presented along with its relationship to allergic contact dermatitis. The level of research conducted on irritant contact dermatitis is much more prevalent than that of allergic contact dermatitis. It is important to note however, that the research presented on irritant contact dermatitis often suggests that allergic contact dermatitis is more likely to manifest when an individual is exposed to a compound and develops a single case of irritant contact dermatitis. While irritant contact dermatitis typically manifests with quicker onset than allergic contact dermatitis, its symptoms are almost identical in many cases, and the manner in which it manifests in the body are also similar (Choi, Lee & Cho, 2000, p. 45).
Apart from allergic and irritant contact dermatitis there are other forms of dermatitis that may coincide with these diseases or occur separately from them; these include atopic dermatitis, or eczema, which more often results from hereditary causes, increasing the likelihood that an individual or construction worker may become sensitized to a chemical or compound agent resulting in allergic contact dermatitis (Choi, Lee & Choi, 2000, p. 45).
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
There is more literature available on contact dermatitis than on allergic dermatitis; however, one may correlate the research provided on irritant contact dermatitis with that of allergic contact dermatitis as irritant dermatitis may be a risk factor of or cause for the development of allergic dermatitis among affected people (McFadden & Basketter, 2000).
Contact dermatitis as mentioned comes in various forms including "chronic irritant contact dermatitis or ICD (Choi, Lee & Cho, 2000, p. 43). This form of contact dermatitis is associated by inflammation of the epidermal cells in the skin, resulting in redness or erythema, some swelling and at times scaling of the skin (Choi, Lee & Cho, 2000; McFadden & Basketter, 2000). Allergic contact dermatitis is much more common that irritant contact dermatitis (Sarkis, 2000). Much less is known about ICO than about allergic dermatitis in part because there are few exact diagnostic tests currently available for evaluating and properly diagnosing this form of contact dermatitis (Sarkis,...
Contact Dermatitis to Metal: Case Study Dermatitis Contact dermatitis on the hands can be caused by a number of distinct mechanisms (Usatine & Riojas, 2010). The type most amenable to treatment is dermatitis caused by environmental irritants. Other possible causes include allergic and atopic dermatitis, each arising from different mechanisms. The patient under consideration here has been diagnosed with contact dermatitis due to metal exposure and is concerned about a possible link
Managing Genital Herpes in a Pregnant PatientStudent NameProgram Name or Degree Name (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Psychology), Walden UniversityCOURSE XXX: Title of CourseInstructor NameMonth XX, 202XAbstractThis comprehensive well-woman/obstetric paper discusses the case of a 26-year-old Caucasian pregnant female at 33 weeks gestation diagnosed with genital herpes (HSV type 2). The report analyzes the patient's background, medical history, physical exam, laboratory results, diagnosis, treatment, and management plan. Additionally, it reflects
, 2006). The evidence reflects only a low level weight loss but is still worthwhile to consider in controlling weight at roughly 0.007 kg per week. It is useful for individual weight loss programs. Losing 0.2 kg per week requires a decrease of 220 kilocalories per day. Achieving a 32% reduction requires a sacrifice of 330 kilocalories a day from sucrose by substituting aspartame. Using aspartame replaces 70 g of
Healthcare workers are exposed to a number of chemical irritants that can cause acute dermatitis and other skincare problems. The irritants in the institutional environment include everything from soaps and solvents to irritation from operating medical equipment. In fact, some of the best health and safety practices have unwanted consequences that can cause non-compliance with hand washing, which compounds hygiene problems. For example, too much hand washing and frequent glove
Acupuncture is an ancient practice of the East with a long history, which has been incorporated into modern Western use, and has been met with mixed reviews by the public and scientific communities. The History of Acupuncture The Origins of Acupuncture Early tools and methods Early texts Evolution of Acupuncture Moxabustion F. Development of schools and comprehensive Texts Eastern Medicine Meets the Modern West Medical Missionaries to China Adoption of Western Practice The Decline of Acupuncture Communist Support for Acupuncture Regrowth and new
Scabies Chief Complaint The patient's chief complaint is a rash and scathes that appear as tunnels. There are small, grey-white linear lesions with a minute black speck at the closed end. The rash is persistently itchy. Precipitating/Alleviating Factors/Past Medical History There are no obvious precipitating factors. The patient is young and otherwise healthy. The patient has a normal diet, and reports no surgeries, history of illness, medications (except OTC Tylenol) or allergies. The patient
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now