Protect, Prevent Skin Damage in Workplace
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Nearly half of all work-related illnesses are related to skin diseases. Nearly half. Look around your workplace. Are you vulnerable to chemicals, infection or contamination?
One of the most common types of skin damage is dermatitis, a painful condition that causes billions of dollars in lost time and productivity and even more spent on skin disease treatments. But even one day or one dollar lost because you develop this painful skin condition is too much.
Dermatitis is characterized by dry skin that may include cracking, swelling, itching, redness, scaling, blisters, or patches that resemble burns. Any form of dermatitis can be so debilitating that people are forced to change their occupation due to excessive time off work or the discomfort.
A remarkable array of industries and employees can be affected by dermatitis. Just a few occupations that may include risk for employee:
* food handlers and bartenders
* medical and dental workers
* sanitation and hospitality employees
* public safety workers
* child caregivers
* retail cashiers and bank tellers
* construction workers or outdoor contractors
* hairdressers
And you may be more susceptible than you think. According to Occupational Health Journal, you don't need to be in contact with hazardous or harsh chemicals to put your skin in danger. Water is the most common irritant. Many occupations require frequent hand washing.
A whole range of chemicals (including water) can cause the skin to break down even under gloves and other personal protection equipment. This breakdown results in moisture loss, and can ultimately lead to skin disease, especially dermatitis. Skin breakdown, even when it's very mild, can increase your susceptibility to antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria like MRSA and Staph as well.
The bacteria, contamination and chemicals don't respect the boundaries of your workspace. You can also affect your customers and even bring the danger home to your family.
How do you defend your skin from the barrage of irritants that you may come into contact with?
The first, and simplest way is to avoid contact with chemicals or substances you know to be irritants. That's not always possible, though. It's also important to wash your hands regularly. But even that can contribute to dermatitis if done too often.
Be sure to wear the right protective equipment. Choose gloves and clothes that are appropriate for the type of work you're doing. However, gloves can tear or break, allowing bacteria and irritants to reach the skin. Materials used in gloves also can cause irritation.
Finally, industry experts recommend using a skin protectant, a type of lotio that helps prevent the absorption of harmful chemicals while keeping the skin's moisture intact. For best results, use a skin protectant designed to shield the skin from bacteria and irritants, even in a contaminated environment.
Bio-Safe™ Skin Protectant, by Eclectic Products, Inc., is one such product. It has a patented polymer formula that creates an invisible shield on your skin to help protect you against infectious bacteria and harsh chemicals that can lead to serious infection.
"I've been using Bio-Safe Skin Protectant for eight years," says John Sehorn, owner of Sanitation & Safety Services in Milwaukie, Oregon. "It does what it's supposed to do. I get cuts and they heal almost overnight. I put it by the time clock so employees can use it when they punch in and when they come back from lunch."
Bio-Safe also works alongside personal protective equipment like gloves, to add a second layer of protection. And when applied to clean, dry skin, Bio-Safe will last for up to four hours, even with repeated hand washing.
Defend yourself from the invisible threats to your skin. Prevent, protect and nourish with Bio-Safe Skin Protectant -- self defense for skin. For more information: visit the Bio-Safe Web site at www.biosafe-inc.com or call (800) 349-4667.