Symptoms of Industrial Dermatitis

Industrial Dermatitis Symptoms

Different types of industrial dermatitis present themselves with a range of different symptoms. Depending on the type, frequency and duration of the exposure these can be any of the following, and these apply to both Irritant Contact and Allergic Contact Dermatitis:

Redness of the skin: If your skin becomes red after contact with or exposure to certain elements it is quite possible that you are showing early signs of the development of dermatitis. This could be on your hands, wrists, arms, legs or even your neck around the collar line. The location of the redness depends very much upon the nature of the irritant. For example if your hands react unfavourably to a detergent the redness could be wherever the detergent has contacted the skin – i.e. the hands and wrists. Similarly if the irritant is airborne, then the redness could be anywhere it has contacted your skin, even on your collar or belt-line.

Crusting and scaling of the skin: If you develop crusts or scales on your skin where you have never previously had them, it is a likely sign of an irritant or allergic reaction. Human skin constantly rebuilds itself, and a reaction to some irritant or allergen can interfere with that reproduction and cause scaling or crusting of the skin surface.

Itching is a common reaction to irritants and allergens; the skin reacts to irritants in different ways, but a common early sign is itching. The temptation with an itch is naturally to scratch it, and so quite frequently this can lead to the area becoming red and even more uncomfortable.

Pain and or burning sensations can happen directly upon exposure to an irritant or allergen, or could develop later on after the exposure. The time-scale for the development depends very much on the nature of the aggressor: just a tiny drop of highly concentrated acid or alkali can cause severe burns, whereas with a less dangerous substance the pain could take a while to develop.

Fissures: If you are exposed to certain dangerous chemicals for long periods or very frequently, it is possible your skin might develop fissures, like cracks in the skin. This usually only occurs with chronic exposure, but left untreated can cause significant pain and discomfort.

Hyper-pigmentation is another sign of chronic exposure – the skin develops patches that are much darker in colour than in other areas.

There are various other ways in which irritant and allergic contact dermatitis can present itself – you should talk to your doctor if you are concerned about any changes to your body.

If you, or someone you know is a victim of ‘industrial dermatitis’ then call our advice line free, 0800 122 3130 or request a free call back when its convenient for you.