If you suffer from eczema, then you probably already know that controlling eczema triggers is an important component to controlling your condition. Many types of eczema can be controlled just by avoiding or limiting exposure to certain triggers. Depending on your trigger, it can be easy to control your exposure in your home, but what about work? What if you need to be exposed to your eczema trigger in order to earn a living?
Occupational irritant contact dermatitis, a form of eczema, is triggered when you are exposed to an irritant in the work place. Contact dermatitis is commonly red, inflamed, and itchy. It is also painful in most cases. It flares up at the skin's point of contact with the irritant. However, it can spread from this point depending on how severe your exposure was and how your immune system reacts.
Of the more than 3000 known allergens and irritants that cause eczema, only 25 are to blame in most cases. It is common for people to have more than one eczema trigger, but still be able to limit their exposure and control an outbreak. Occupational irritant contact dermatitis occurs when you become increasingly sensitized to an irritant you cannot avoid at work.
As you work and are exposed to the irritant you will find that your eczema reaction occurs more frequently and more severely. When you are first exposed, you may not have a reaction. However, people who are prone to contact dermatitis are believed to have a weakness in their skin structure. Therefore, the irritant slowly exploits this weakness and begins degrading your skin. Your immune system recognizes this as an attack and releases chemicals into your system to counteract the damage being done by the irritant. Unfortunately, a side affect of this immune attack is eczema at the point of contact. The more you are exposed to the irritant, the more quickly and severely your immune system will react. This is called sensitization and it is why your eczema will become increasingly severe the more you are exposed to the irritant.
Most occupational irritants are not among the 25 common triggers. This does not mean it will be difficult to identify your specific trigger. If you work around chemicals, hazardous materials, unusual metals, or if something regularly touches the afflicted skin then these are your primary suspects. For example, cleaning professionals are often irritated by cleaning solvents. Woodworkers react to certain varnishes. Beauty professionals often find that their trigger is nail varnish.
Your first step should be to speak with your employer or safety representative about your occupational eczema. They probably have experience with this problem and will have protection recommendations ideally suited for your circumstances. They may even offer to assist you with the cost of protective gear. Remember to always keep your employer informed about the status of your condition.
Your next steps are to protect yourself. Good hygiene, including regular washing all exposed areas of your skin, is your first line of defense to remove irritants from the surface of your skin. Also, try to cover your skin with gloves, aprons, hats, goggles, and other protective gear. Keep in mind that many people are irritated by rubber, so be careful if you are using rubber gloves for protection. Next, you should try to enhance your skin's natural barriers by applying lotions, such as oatmeal, aloe vera, or zinc, regularly.
Once you actually have an outbreak, your treatment regiment is no different than normal irritant contact dermatitis. You will probably want to use a blend of medical and natural therapies to find relief. You should also look into long term natural treatments that help you detoxify your system in order to strengthen both your immune system and skin.
It is never fair to be exposed to the irritants or allergens triggering your occupational contact dermatitis simply to earn a living. If you want to control and prevent your condition it is important that you keep your employer informed, protect your skin, and stay otherwise healthy. Once you identify your eczema trigger, take precautions to limit your exposure, and develop a healthy treatment program then you will find that you have eczema flare ups less frequently and you heal more quickly.
Occupational irritant contact dermatitis, a form of eczema, is triggered when you are exposed to an irritant in the work place. Contact dermatitis is commonly red, inflamed, and itchy. It is also painful in most cases. It flares up at the skin's point of contact with the irritant. However, it can spread from this point depending on how severe your exposure was and how your immune system reacts.
Of the more than 3000 known allergens and irritants that cause eczema, only 25 are to blame in most cases. It is common for people to have more than one eczema trigger, but still be able to limit their exposure and control an outbreak. Occupational irritant contact dermatitis occurs when you become increasingly sensitized to an irritant you cannot avoid at work.
As you work and are exposed to the irritant you will find that your eczema reaction occurs more frequently and more severely. When you are first exposed, you may not have a reaction. However, people who are prone to contact dermatitis are believed to have a weakness in their skin structure. Therefore, the irritant slowly exploits this weakness and begins degrading your skin. Your immune system recognizes this as an attack and releases chemicals into your system to counteract the damage being done by the irritant. Unfortunately, a side affect of this immune attack is eczema at the point of contact. The more you are exposed to the irritant, the more quickly and severely your immune system will react. This is called sensitization and it is why your eczema will become increasingly severe the more you are exposed to the irritant.
Most occupational irritants are not among the 25 common triggers. This does not mean it will be difficult to identify your specific trigger. If you work around chemicals, hazardous materials, unusual metals, or if something regularly touches the afflicted skin then these are your primary suspects. For example, cleaning professionals are often irritated by cleaning solvents. Woodworkers react to certain varnishes. Beauty professionals often find that their trigger is nail varnish.
Your first step should be to speak with your employer or safety representative about your occupational eczema. They probably have experience with this problem and will have protection recommendations ideally suited for your circumstances. They may even offer to assist you with the cost of protective gear. Remember to always keep your employer informed about the status of your condition.
Your next steps are to protect yourself. Good hygiene, including regular washing all exposed areas of your skin, is your first line of defense to remove irritants from the surface of your skin. Also, try to cover your skin with gloves, aprons, hats, goggles, and other protective gear. Keep in mind that many people are irritated by rubber, so be careful if you are using rubber gloves for protection. Next, you should try to enhance your skin's natural barriers by applying lotions, such as oatmeal, aloe vera, or zinc, regularly.
Once you actually have an outbreak, your treatment regiment is no different than normal irritant contact dermatitis. You will probably want to use a blend of medical and natural therapies to find relief. You should also look into long term natural treatments that help you detoxify your system in order to strengthen both your immune system and skin.
It is never fair to be exposed to the irritants or allergens triggering your occupational contact dermatitis simply to earn a living. If you want to control and prevent your condition it is important that you keep your employer informed, protect your skin, and stay otherwise healthy. Once you identify your eczema trigger, take precautions to limit your exposure, and develop a healthy treatment program then you will find that you have eczema flare ups less frequently and you heal more quickly.
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