Dermatitis and other skin disorders

Summary

• In 2008/09, an estimated 16 000 individuals who worked in the last 12 months suffered "skin problems" which they believed to be work-related, according to the Labour Force Survey.
• There were 2180 cases of occupational skin disease in 2008 reported by dermatologists and occupational physicians reporting in the THOR (EPIDERM and OPRA) network.
• Of these, 1573 (72%) were contact dermatitis and 406 (19%) - most of the remainder - were skin cancers.
• Statistical modelling by the University of Manchester showed statistically significant downward tends in the incidence of both contact dermatitis and all skin disease cases over the period 1996-2008 after taking account of certain factors which affect the annual estimates based on THOR.
• During 2006-2008, the most common agents cited by dermatologists and occupational physicians as causes of skin disease were "soaps and cleaners", "wet work", and "rubber chemicals and materials".
• The occupations with the highest estimated incidence rates in 2006-2008 according to dermatologists reporting to EPIDERM, were, "floral arrangers and florists", "hairdressers and barbers" and "textile process operatives".
• The industrial sector with the highest estimated incidence rates in 2006-2008 according to dermatologists reporting to EPIDERM, was "other service activities".