Although most skin disorders are non-life threatening, they can have a serious impact on people's ability to work, says Caroline Smith
The skin is the largest human organ, measuring 1.5 to 2 square metres in area, it is self-renewing and self-repairing, providing heat regulation for the body and protection from the outside world.
While skin disorders are rarely life threatening ' only melanoma in its most advanced stages is difficult to cure ' they can be extremely uncomfortable for those they affect, and even cause psychological issues if they affect a person's occupation or social activities.
While there are many different types of skin disorders, we will concentrate on the most common ' acne, dermatitis/eczema, non-malignant skin tumours, psoriasis and urticaria.
Acne
Acne is the inflammation of the sebaceous glands and occurs on the face, arms, back and chest. Sebaceous glands secrete sebum to keep the skin supple.
In acne sufferers, sebum is often over produced and when combined with blocked oil ducts, leads to a build up of sebum beneath the surface of the skin causing the spot. There are many different treatments for acne, both over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Dermatitis and eczema
Dermatitis, as the name implies, is inflammation of the dermis (skin). To dermatologists, dermatitis and eczema are interchangeable ' the terms are used to describe the same condition. Eczema is characterised by dryness of the skin and inflammation. There is also an increased risk of other skin infections. People who suffer from eczema are more likely to also develop asthma, hayfever and allergies. Again, over-the-counter and prescription medications can be used in the management of dermatitis.
Non-melanoma skin tumours
Non-melanoma skin tumours include basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. While the carcinomas fall under the category of skin cancer, they rarely metastisise and are viewed slightly differently by the underwriter in that they are rarely life threatening. Basal cell carcinoma is also known as rodent ulcer.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a combination of inflammation and increased epidermal cell growth. In normal skin, the skin cells are replaced every 21 days. In psoriatic skin, the cells are replaced every three days leading to a build up of scale in the areas affected as the cells are not rubbed off quickly enough. While there is no cure for psoriasis, it can be managed through a variety of treatments including creams, steroids for more serious cases and light therapy.
Urticaria
Urticaria is the medical term for hives. Hives are formed by blood plasma leaking out of the small blood vessels in the skin. This is caused by the release of a chemical called histamine. Allergic reactions, for example to chemicals, foods, medications, can cause histamine relief. Prevention is through identifying the cause of the allergy and avoiding it. Treatment is through administering anti-histamines.
Caroline Smith is an underwriter at Scottish Equitable Protect
Skin disorder facts and figures
• The average adult has 21 square feet of skin (2 sq m) which weighs 7lb (3.2 kg) and has approximately 300 million skin cells.
• 15% of all patients who see a GP do so with a skin complaint.
• Between 1997 and 1998, there were 215,048 admissions to NHS Trust Hospitals in England for skin disorders.
• According to the British Association of Dermatologists, the commonest health problem in the workplace after musculo-skeletal problems is dermatitis. Approximately 29% of industrial health problems are contact dermatitis.
The Health and Safety Executive states that:
• Occupational skin disorders affects people in nearly all industries with an estimated 66,000 cases caused by work each year.
• Between 1999 and 2001, the most common agents cited by both dermatologists and occupational physicians were rubber chemicals and materials, followed by wet work and soaps and cleaners respectively.
n Occupations estimated to be at the highest risk are hairdressers and barbers, labourers in construction industries, grinding machine setters and operators and printers.
n Of the 66,000 cases of skin disorders, approximately 80% of these were contact dermatitis. This is a reaction that occurs when the skin comes into contact with a substance to which the body is allergic.
n Contact dermatitis can be prevented through following correct health and safety guidelines for handling of substances.
The Department of Health states that:
n Skin cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the UK.
n There are approximately 40,500 new cases of skin cancer each year.
n The main cause of skin cancer is excess UV exposure, either from a sun or another source such as a sunbed.
Source: Scottish Equitable Protect
