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 is an eczema that is triggered by exposure to an irritant in your work environment. Contact dermatitis is a red, inflamed, itchy, and many times painful rash. It occurs where the skin had direct contact with the irritant. It may spread from this point depending on the severity of your exposure and immune system reaction.
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.
While you are working and exposed to the specific irritant, you will find that your eczema happens more often and more severely. At your first exposure, you may not even have a reaction. Overtime, the irritant will attack your skin through a skin weakness believed to exist in people susceptible to contact dermatitis. As the irritant begins to damage your skin your immune system recognizes the attack and releases chemicals to counteract the damage. Unfortunately, these chemicals are known to cause eczema at the point of contact. As you are exposed to the irritant overtime, you immune system will start to react more quickly and severely. This is called sensitization and it is why your condition will worsen the more you are exposed to your trigger.
It is very likely that the occupational irritant is not one of the 25 common triggers. However, you should be able to identify your trigger without too much difficulty. This is especially so if you work around chemicals, hazardous materials, unusual metals, or if there is something that regularly touches that portion of your skin. For example, woodworkers typically have a reaction to certain varnishes. Maids and cleaning professionals may be irritated by cleaning products or by rubber gloves. Beauty professionals are often irritated by 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.
Next, you should take measures to protect yourself. Always wash your exposed skin regularly and practice good hygiene in order to remove irritants from the surface of your skin. Cover your exposed skin with gloves, aprons, hats, goggles, and any other protective gear. Be aware that rubber and latex may be an irritant to your eczema. Also, try to improve your skin's barrier functions by applying lotions regularly such as aloe vera, oatmeal, and zinc based moisturizers.
If you do have a flare up, you will use the normal treatments for irritant contact dermatitis. Your best option is to use both medical and natural therapies. You should also look into long term techniques to detoxify your body and strengthen your immune system and skin.
It is unfair that in order to earn a living you must be exposed to the irritants or allergens causing your occupational contact dermatitis. The important things to remember when trying to control and prevent you condition is to keep your employer informed, protect your skin, and try to keep yourself otherwise healthy. If you identify your trigger, take extra precautions, and use a healthy treatment regiment then you should find your eczema occurs less frequently and heals more quickly.
Occupational irritant contact dermatitis is an eczema that is triggered by exposure to an irritant in your work environment. Contact dermatitis is a red, inflamed, itchy, and many times painful rash. It occurs where the skin had direct contact with the irritant. It may spread from this point depending on the severity of your exposure and immune system reaction.
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.
While you are working and exposed to the specific irritant, you will find that your eczema happens more often and more severely. At your first exposure, you may not even have a reaction. Overtime, the irritant will attack your skin through a skin weakness believed to exist in people susceptible to contact dermatitis. As the irritant begins to damage your skin your immune system recognizes the attack and releases chemicals to counteract the damage. Unfortunately, these chemicals are known to cause eczema at the point of contact. As you are exposed to the irritant overtime, you immune system will start to react more quickly and severely. This is called sensitization and it is why your condition will worsen the more you are exposed to your trigger.
It is very likely that the occupational irritant is not one of the 25 common triggers. However, you should be able to identify your trigger without too much difficulty. This is especially so if you work around chemicals, hazardous materials, unusual metals, or if there is something that regularly touches that portion of your skin. For example, woodworkers typically have a reaction to certain varnishes. Maids and cleaning professionals may be irritated by cleaning products or by rubber gloves. Beauty professionals are often irritated by 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.
Next, you should take measures to protect yourself. Always wash your exposed skin regularly and practice good hygiene in order to remove irritants from the surface of your skin. Cover your exposed skin with gloves, aprons, hats, goggles, and any other protective gear. Be aware that rubber and latex may be an irritant to your eczema. Also, try to improve your skin's barrier functions by applying lotions regularly such as aloe vera, oatmeal, and zinc based moisturizers.
If you do have a flare up, you will use the normal treatments for irritant contact dermatitis. Your best option is to use both medical and natural therapies. You should also look into long term techniques to detoxify your body and strengthen your immune system and skin.
It is unfair that in order to earn a living you must be exposed to the irritants or allergens causing your occupational contact dermatitis. The important things to remember when trying to control and prevent you condition is to keep your employer informed, protect your skin, and try to keep yourself otherwise healthy. If you identify your trigger, take extra precautions, and use a healthy treatment regiment then you should find your eczema occurs less frequently and heals more quickly.
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To find out more about eczema and ways to treat eczema, check out Blake Helton's excellent articles on the above mentioned sites.
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