Abstract

Mubashar Mashqoor Mir, Mohammad Sarwar Mir*, Nazish Mir and Soheb Mashqoor Mir

ABSTRACT

Background: Occupational dermatitis among construction workers is a major occupational health concern. The two most important occupational hazards for construction workers are irritant and allergic cement contact dermatitis. The objective of this study was to investigate the severity of occupational contact dermatitis and the common allergens among construction workers in Srinagar. Methods: A total of 100 cement workers from a construction site were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the demographic data and work-related activities of these cement workers. A complete skin examination was conducted, and skin manifestations were assessed. All patients were patch tested with Indian standard battery of patch allergens. Results: Our results showed that 70 out of 100 construction workers were suffering from occupational contact dermatitis. The most affected skin area was the hand. Thickening of the dorsal surface of the hand, especially around the metacarpophalangeal joint area, and hyperkeratosis of the palm were the major skin manifestations. The results of the patch test showed that 25 out of 100 were allergic to potassium dichromate, 12 were allergic to thiuram mix, nine and eight were allergic to cobalt chloride. The final diagnosis, based on the results of the skin examination and the patch test, showed that 45 of 100 cement workers had irritant contact dermatitis and 25 had allergic contact dermatitis.