Healthy hands on National Hairdressers Day

E044:07 21 November 2007

Up to 70% of Great Britain's hairdressers suffer skin damage and over half of them will suffer from dermatitis at some point during their career. In support of National Hairdressers' Day, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today highlighted simple precautions that can prevent the debilitating disease.

Dermatitis is a painful skin condition that occurs when the protective layer of the skin is broken leading to redness, irritation, cracking and blistering. Hairdressers' are particularly vulnerable because of frequent exposure to products like shampoos or hair-dye and prolonged wet-work.

Steve Coldrick, HSE Director Disease Reduction Programme said,

"Dermatitis can have a devastating impact on hairdresser's lives. Hands are the tool of their trade, and the painful symptoms often threaten careers, and go on to disrupt aspects of home life as well.

"National Hairdressers Day is an opportunity for salons to remind their staff of the devastating impact that dermatitis can have, and to commit to putting a stop to it. The preventative measures available are extremely simple and effective and will help hairdressers avoid dermatitis but only if they are implemented consistently as a matter of course".

HSE advise hairdressers to:

• Wear disposable non-latex gloves when rinsing, shampooing, colouring, bleaching etc
• Dry your hands thoroughly with a soft cotton or paper towel
• Moisturise after washing your hands, as well as at the start and end of each day.
• Check skin regularly for early signs of Dermatitis

Hairdressers suffering from dermatitis often find that symptoms are particularly bad coming up to Christmas because of the cold weather. Miriam Balderson, a hairdresser from Sheffield who quit the industry because of the severity of dermatitis on her hands said, "Dermatitis made every-day activities very difficult because my hands were blistered, red and sore. My hands were so bad that I couldn't even wrap my little boys Christmas presents; they were that painful. It was like having no hands".

Indy Rihal from the British Skin Foundation confirmed, "Hairdressers are prone to contact dermatitis because they are in constant contact with irritants that strip the skin of its natural oils. The skin will then become red, sore and scaly with tiny water blisters. Even when condition has not flared up, sufferers' skin will appear hard, dry and cracked, particularly around the joints. We recommend that you look after the skin on your hands by wearing gloves and moisturising frequently."

Notes to editors

1. National Hairdressers Day takes place annually on 21st November.
2. Last year as part of its 'Bad Hand Day' campaign, HSE marked National Hairdressers Day by raising awareness amongst hairdressers of the risk of dermatitis and the prevention measures available.
3. Employers are required by law to control exposure to materials in the workplace that cause ill health like dermatitis. They must implement adequate control measures and provide information and training where appropriate.
4. More information on HSE's 'Bad Hand Day' campaign is available at: www.badhandday.hse.gov.uk
5. Steve Coldrick is available for interview.

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