Occupational skin dermatosis (OCD) is an inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects the hands of healthcare workers and can develop from work-related exposures such as repeated use of hand hygiene products, exposure to chemicals and glove use. OCD results from either exposure to irritants ((irritant contact dermatitis) or allergens (allergic contact dermatitis and latex allergy). Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is the most common, followed by Type IV cell mediated allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) due to exposure of chemicals, and latex allergy. OCD can develop at any time and symptoms can range from mild to severe and in the case of latex allergy; life threatening.
To minimize your risk, please read further to understand OCD differences, causes, diagnoses, treatments and available solutions for ICD, ACD and latex allergy.
