Sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with occupational contact dermatitis seen at a work-related dermatology service, 2000 - 2014

Characteristics of Litigations Involving Contact Dermatitis: An Exploratory Analysis

Background: Contact dermatitis (CD) is one of the most common skin disorders, occurring in >20% of patients worldwide. Estimated cost burden for CD in the United States approaches $1 billion annually. Objective: To describe characteristics of litigation among patients with CD. Methods: Westlaw legal database for U.S. lawsuits was queried for lawsuits between the years 1983 and 2021 containing the keywords "dermatitis or eczema." Each lawsuit associated with CD was analyzed by plaintiff demographics, verdict, prosecution reason, payouts, and allergen implicated. Results: Of 98 cases, 61 met the inclusion criteria. Verdicts issued favored plaintiffs (42.6%) more than defendants (32.8%) with the remaining cases decided through settlements. If payout occurred, the mean was $246,310 (standard deviation [SD] = $798,536), the median was $20,000 (Q1 = $8,500, Q3 = $88,725, interquartile range = $80,225). The top reason for litigation was toxic exposure (n = 38, 62.2%), and common contact allergens associated with lawsuits were latex (n = 4, 20%), surgical tape (n = 4, 20%), and beauty products (n = 4, 20%). Conclusion: Common allergens associated with lawsuits include latex, surgical tape, and beauty products. Most CD cases adjudicated in the United States since 1983 are associated with toxic exposures.

Skin Disease Profile in Geriatric Inpatients at a Tertiary Referral Hospital

Background

Elderly people are susceptible to various skin diseases. To monitor disease trends in the geriatric population, epidemiologic data on skin diseases are essential. However, studies on skin diseases in geriatric patients in Indonesia, particularly those who are hospitalised, are limited. Therefore, this retrospective study aims to determine the skin disease profile in geriatric patients at a tertiary referral hospital in Indonesia.

Methods

The subjects were all geriatric inpatients who were consulted at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital between 2017 and 2019. The patients were analysed according to sex, age and comorbidities. They were divided into 15 groups according to the diseases. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables.

Results

The most common skin diseases were infections (35.8%), dermatitis (21.8%), ulcers (12.8%), age-related skin changes (8.4%) and vascular diseases (5.3%). Dermatitis was significantly more common in males (P < 0.05), whereas infections were significantly more common in females (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Consistent with previous studies, our inpatient data showed that infections were significantly more common in females, whereas dermatitis was significantly more common in males. The data collected may contribute to epidemiologic data on skin diseases in the geriatric population.

Prevalence, risk factors, and prevention of occupational contact dermatitis among professional cleaners: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and prevention of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD), as well as risk factors and consequences of OCD among professional cleaners.

METHODS

A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was performed using Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies containing over 109.000 participants were included in the review. The prevalence of OCD varied between 2.2% and 30.1%. Main occupational risk factors for developing OCD among cleaners included wet work and irritants in cleaning products (bleach, chlorine, ammonia, multi-use-cleaning) and skin contact to metal. The most common contact allergies included rubber, biocides, nickel/cobalt, and perfumes. Other risk factors were inconsistent use of protective gloves and low educational level. Consequences associated with OCD included significant impairment in quality of life, tendency to have unscheduled absence from work, sick leave, increased rate of disability, and recognized degree of injury. Only one prevention study has been published investigating the effect of an educative course in skin-protective behavior in cleaners. The study reported a higher degree of knowledge of skin protection, a decrease in the severity of hand eczema, and a shift toward fewer daily hand washings at follow-up after 3 months.

CONCLUSION

Our study proves that OCD is common in cleaners, and the main risk factors included wet work, irritants, and contact allergies, as well as inconsistent use of protective gloves and low educational level. More focus and a greater number of studies are needed on skin protection in this population.

Demographic and clinical profile of occupational cases of sensitization to methylisothiazolinone and Kathon CG: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction: methylisothiazolinone alone or associated with methylchloroisothiazolinone (Kathon CG) is a preservative related to occupational allergic contact dermatitis. Objectives: to evaluate the demographic and clinical profile of occupational cases of sensitization to isothiazolinones in the city of Rio de Janeiro and to describe the presence of these preservatives in national paints. Methods: cross-sectional study based on information from medical records of workers who underwent patch testing between 2013-2017. The prevalence of clinical, demographic and occupational characteristics was described and an unadjusted model was used to investigate the association between variables. We sought the presence and concentration of isothiazolinones in the chemical composition sheets of national paints. Results: among the 768 workers submitted to the tests, 68 had occupational dermatosis with a positive result for sensitization to methylisothiazolinone/Kathon CG. The most affected occupations were those related to domestic activities and cleaning. There was a greater likelihood of sensitization to isothiazolinones in women and in those with involvement of the hands and legs. Among the 61 paints evaluated, 26 had some isothiazolinone, with methylchloroisothiazolinone being the most common. Conclusions: sensitization to isothiazolinones can impact workers’ health and demands greater vigilance on cleaning materials and cosmetics, as well as discussing the composition regulation of the paints sold in Brazil.

Perfil demográfico e clínico de casos ocupacionais de sensibilização a metilisotiazolinona e Kathon CG: estudo seccional

Resumo Introdução: a metilisotiazolinona isolada ou associada à metilcloroisotiazolinona (Kathon CG) é um conservante relacionado à dermatite de contato alérgica ocupacional. Objetivos: avaliar o perfil demográfico e clínico dos casos ocupacionais de sensibilização a isotiazolinonas no município do Rio de Janeiro e descrever a presença desses preservativos em tintas nacionais. Métodos: estudo transversal baseado em informações de prontuários de trabalhadores submetidos a testes de contato entre 2013-2017. Descreveu-se a prevalência de características clínicas, demográficas e ocupacionais e utilizou-se um modelo não-ajustado para investigar a associação entre variáveis. Buscou-se a presença e a concentração de isotiazolinonas nas fichas de composição química de tintas nacionais. Resultados: dentre os 768 trabalhadores submetidos aos testes, 68 apresentavam dermatose ocupacional com resultado positivo para sensibilização à metilisotiazolinona/Kathon CG. As profissões mais acometidas foram as relacionadas a atividades domésticas e limpeza. Houve maior chance de sensibilização às isotiazolinonas nas mulheres e naqueles com acometimento das mãos e das pernas. Entre as 61 tintas avaliadas, 26 possuíam alguma isotiazolinona, sendo a metilcloroisotiazolinona a mais comum. Conclusões: a sensibilização às isotiazolinonas pode impactar a saúde do trabalhador e demanda maior vigilância com materiais de limpeza e cosméticos, assim como a discussão da regulação da composição de tintas comercializadas no país.

Contact Dermatitis: Classifications and Management

Contact dermatitis (CD) is a common inflammatory skin disease caused by exposure to contact allergens and irritants. It is also the most common reason of occupational dermatitis and contributes greatly to hand dermatitis and facial dermatitis. Besides the two major forms of contact dermatitis: allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis, other subtypes of CD have been recognized including immediate skin reactions, photoinduced contact dermatitis, systemic contact dermatitis, and non-eczematous contact dermatitis. CD is a great imitator which can mimic many kinds of skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, and angioedema. For the diagnosis of CD, a complete medical history, including occupational history, is very important. It can give a clue of CD and provide a list of suspected substances. Besides the well-known diagnostic test, patch testing, there are many other diagnostic tests can be used to help diagnosis of CD and identify the causative allergens, including photopatch test, skin tests for detecting of immediate contact reactions, serum allergen-specific IgE test, and qualitative and quantitative testing of allergen in the suspected materials patients exposed to and challenge test. Before the treatment, the suspected irritants or allergens should be avoided completely. This includes both the removal of the patient from the environment that contains those substances and the promotion of the metabolism and expulsion of the allergens that have been absorbed by the body. In addition, it is also important to restore the skin barrier and reduce skin inflammation through multiple treatments, such as emollients, topical corticosteroids, and antihistamines, as well as systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Early and appropriate treatments are important to prevent further deterioration and persistence of the skin condition.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis (CD) is among the most common inflammatory dermatological conditions and includes allergic CD, photoallergic CD, irritant CD, photoirritant CD (also called phototoxic CD) and protein CD. Occupational CD can be of any type and is the most prevalent occupational skin disease. Each CD type is characterized by different immunological mechanisms and/or requisite exposures. Clinical manifestations of CD vary widely and multiple subtypes may occur simultaneously. The diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, thorough exposure assessment and evaluation with techniques such as patch testing and skin-prick testing. Management is based on patient education, avoidance strategies of specific substances, and topical treatments; in severe or recalcitrant cases, which can negatively affect the quality of life of patients, systemic medications may be needed.

Sociodemographic, environmental and labor conditions related to the presence of conjunctivitis and skin irritation in a group of informal street vendors in downtown Medellin, 2015-2019

Introduction

Occupational diseases are those that may have a causal relationship with occupational activity or environment. However, this definition does not specify how this disease would be identified and acknowledged for workers with subsistence jobs.

Objectives

To determine sociodemographic, labor and environmental conditions that collaborate to explain the presence of eye and skin irritation among informal vendors in downtown Medellin.

Methods

Descriptive cross-sectional study with analytical intention, primary sources of information, and administration of assisted survey including self-reported eye and skin irritation in 686 workers.

Results

Predominantly male population with mean age of 50 (±11.8) years. A total of 23.5 % of workers had worked as vendors for their entire life; 37.5% had worked as vendors for 11 to 20 years as vendors; and 81.5%worked for more than 8 hours a day. According to 69.8% of the sample, poor air quality affected their work, and 80.0% believed that pollution was generated by vehicle fleet. The polluted areas generated unpleasant odors (50.2%) and air pollution (89.4%). The prevalence of eye and skin irritation was 65.4%. Not having working license and having fair, poor, or very poor job tenure significantly reduced the prevalence of eye and skin irritation. Conversely, exposure to polluted water, working in the professional for more than 30 years, male sex, and age older than 60 years were associated with increased prevalence of irritation.

Conclusions

Eye and skin irritation was mainly explained by non-modifiable sociodemographic and labor conditions and by consumption of polluted water; however, implementing public health actions could reduce workers' socio-environmental and labor vulnerability.

What Is New in Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis in the Year of the COVID Pandemic?

Purpose of Review

This article aims to summarize some recent trends in occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), including dermatitis related to pandemic-level personal protective equipment in healthcare workers, hazards patients may experience when working from home, and occupational perspectives on the recent American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) allergens of the year and ACDS Core Allergen Series updates.

Recent Findings

Recent ACDS Allergens of the Year may be particularly relevant to healthcare workers, including isobornyl acrylate, which is present in glucose sensors and propylene glycol present in hand cleansers and disinfectants. Lavender, limonene, and linalool, all of which are new additions to the ACDS Core Allergen Series, have been reported as causes for occupational ACD in massage therapists and aromatherapists. Isothiazolinone allergy continues to rise in both consumer and occupational settings. Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a wave of occupational ACD in healthcare workers to personal protective equipment, and revealed new potential allergens for individuals working from home.

Summary

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis continues to exert a significant occupational disease burden. Remaining aware of the current trends in allergens may allow for earlier recognition, diagnosis, and treatment, subsequently helping our patients to work in healthier and safer environments.

A comprehensive study of nickel levels in everyday items in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Nickel is a ubiquitous element used in many everyday items. In recent decades nickel has become a leading allergen, which has become a public health problem.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate frequently used nickel products in Brazil. We investigated if these objects release nickel that is capable of inducing sensitization or cause clinical manifestations in terms of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).

METHODS

Dimethylglyoxime (DMG) spot tests assessed nickel release from several common utensils used in everyday life in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

RESULTS

We tested 46 coins (two denominations) and 90 common utensils. Approximately 91.1% produced nickel-positive results using the DMG spot test.

CONCLUSIONS

The DMG limit of detection was 1.67 ppm of nickel. We observed that many objects in our test series released nickel above the DMG test limit. This observation suggests that nickel-sensitive individuals may be exposed to nickel, representing a public health issue.