Skin at Work - Frequently asked questions

No. There are no true 'barrier' creams – chemicals will always work their way through to the skin. However, pre-work creams can play a role in an overall skin care programme.   They will help remove dirt during washing, so milder cleansing agents can be used.

Choosing the right gloves is important, to make sure that you are properly protected. The gloves need to be right for you, for the task and for the substances you are protecting yourself from.

If you work in one of the industries listed on the home page, check your industry pages for any specific advice on gloves or ask your glove supplier for help and advice.

Advice on gloves selection

As long as you use the following good practice, there is no problem wearing gloves when working with moving machinery:

• do not put hands (whether gloved or ungloved) near unguarded, moving machinery;
• choose gloves that are a snug fit, so that there are no wrinkles or folds that can get caught up in moving parts;
• choose a glove material that will tear easily so that if it does get caught, the glove will rip rather than drag into the machinery.

Checking your skin regularly is easy and can help to catch dermatitis early, which can make it easier to treat. Our poster will help you to recognise the early signs of dermatitis.

If you believe that you have dermatitis that is either caused by or made worse by your work, go and see your GP or if available, your occupational health service . Tell him or her what you do at work and that you think this might be causing the problem. Also talk to your employer about your concerns. If your dermatitis is confirmed and is work related, your employer needs to make sure that you can work in a way that protects your health. You should co-operate with your employer as best you can.

You should use disposable, smooth, non-latex gloves that fit the hand snugly. A snug fit means they will be more comfortable, won't wrinkle and so won't snag hair. Choose a longer-length glove so that it protects your wrists from splashes from water and products. The longer length also allows you to fold down the cuff to prevent water and products running down the inside of the glove. Avoid latex gloves as latex can cause skin reactions and powdered gloves can cause asthma – it is possible that a number of your clients could be allergic to latex. Nitrile or vinyl gloves would be suitable alternatives to latex.

Disposable vinyl or nitrile gloves are lightweight. If they fit your hands reasonably well, they will allow you to feel the temperature as you mix water from hot and cold taps before washing or rinsing the client's hair.

When they know why you are wearing them, people understand the importance of using gloves and will respect their use.

A pair of disposable nitrile or vinyl gloves can cost pennies, a very small proportion of the cost for any haircut/hair treatment.

No. As a hairdresser, you are more prone to developing dry, cracked skin – it can be an early sign of dermatitis. Dryness and cracking means that your skin is not sufficiently hydrated and is vulnerable to further damage because its barrier properties are reduced. Make sure that you moisturise as often as you can and check your skin regularly.

Certain foods and lots of contact with water can cause dermatitis. You need to look after your skin whatever you are doing in the kitchen – this includes handling and preparing food, as well as cleaning.

Yes you can. Once you've identified what's causing the dermatitis, you can take steps to prevent exposure and protect yourself. The only exception is if you have developed an extreme allergic response, especially to a food, in which case you may not be able to continue to work in a kitchen.

Yes you can. You just have to use one of the many moisturisers that are free of fragrance or taint and nut oil. The moisturisers should be in dispensers (not pots) to avoid cross contamination between different users.

If you are following good food safety practice, then you are also well on your way to preventing dermatitis. Remember you have to comply with health and safety law just as well as you do with food safety law.

Think about how you can put some distance between you and the chemicals - use a mop with a handle, rather than a cloth for cleaning floors and surfaces; substitute irritant chemicals for milder alternatives where available; avoid concentrates and instead use dosing systems such as single-use sachets.

Strong reusable rubber gloves should be fine, unless the label on any of your cleaning products says otherwise.

Use flock-lined gloves or gloves with separate cotton liner which can help to absorb some of the sweat from your hands. Take regular glove breaks - air your hands for a minute before they get hot and sticky inside your gloves. Be careful how you take off your gloves. Wash them or wipe the outsides first and then take them off, not letting your ungloved hand touch the contaminated glove.

No. There are no true 'barrier' creams; chemicals will always work their way through to the skin. However, moisturising creams used regularly will help keep skin hydrated and supple, preventing dermatitis.

Skin dryness and cracking are early signs of dermatitis and shouldn't be ignored – you should check with your GP or if available, your occupational health service if you notice these signs. The things you do in your job mean that you have an increased chance of suffering from dermatitis, but preventing it is easy.

Take a break from wearing your gloves – change single-use medical gloves after every patient. Make sure that they fit properly and are powder-free. If you must use latex gloves, then they should be low-protein and powder-free. Wash your hands after taking off your gloves to remove any chemical contamination.

Use cool/tepid water when washing, to keep hand temperature down. Use hand-wash agents sparingly and rinse hands thoroughly to remove all traces of hand wash. Dry your skin thoroughly with soft paper or cotton towels – pat skin dry, rather than rubbing it. Regularly use emollient hand creams to help prevent the skin from drying, particularly after every clinical session.

Think about how you can put some distance between you and the chemicals – use a mop with a handle, rather than a cloth for cleaning floors and surfaces; use the mildest cleaning chemicals that will do the job, rather than more irritant cleaning chemicals; avoid concentrates and instead use dosing systems such as single-use sachets.