Principles of Prevention and Protection in Contact Dermatitis (with Special Reference to Occupational Dermatology)

Abstract

Preventing occupational (and nonoccupational) contact dermatitis is the cornerstone of all our projects. It is crucial that over the next few years the number of cases be reduced. This is particularly true for certain occupations: bakers, hairdressers, the staff of hospitals, nursing homes and restaurants, and many others (see Chap. 11). Two types of considerations must be borne in mind: individual aspects (some workers are disabled by many interruptions to their activities in the course of a year) and socio-economical aspects. Prevention is a difficult task, with many different facets, including both general and individual measures of protection [1]; unavoidably, it also implies a wide range of treatment procedures. There is a general principle: general measures of prevention and protection are more effective than individual measures, since the latter depend upon the personal will and constant application of each individual worker; it is clear that preventive dermatology is not yet accepted as a routine procedure [2]. In most industrialized countries, a relatively safe working environment is provided by most of the largest plants [3]. Nevertheless, at other workplaces contacts with irritants and/or allergens could be avoided more effectively.