by Charles Lewton-Brain – © Brain Press Publications – 2002
Dermatitis is a group of skin conditions that may often be contracted by exposure to chemicals and metals. These may include scaling, splitting, eczema and so on. Dermatitis is a real hazard for jewelers. Metal workers suffer high rates of skin disorders (Tver and Anderson 66). About 65% of all occupational diseases are skin diseases (Stellman and Daum 54). A toxic reaction to chemicals, a reaction that results from contact with them, and not from slow sensitization or allergic reactions, is the most common cause of occupational skin disease (Goldner 37). Up to 75% of occupational dermatitis is caused like this (haz-map page 1). However, sensitization is of tremendous importance to those jewelers who do get dermatitis as a result of repeated contact with chemicals in the workshop. Occupational dermatitis happens most often to the hands (Goldner 54). Dermatitis is often linked with hereditary allergic tendencies. It can be made worse by fatigue or stress. Rarely, dermatitis is caused by a deficiency of B-complex vitamins or protein deficiency (Tver and Anderson 76).
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