Skin physiological changes in employees in the fish processing industry immediately following work. A field study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Occupational Health
• Biophysics

Background:

• Employees in the fish processing industry frequently report dry skin after work.
• Understanding the physiological changes contributing to this condition is crucial for prevention and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physiological skin changes occurring during and after work in fish processing employees.
• To explain the development of dry skin in this occupational group.

Main Methods:

• Measurements of skin blood flow (SBF), skin surface temperature, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and electrical capacitance were taken on the fingers of 10 fillet workers.
• Data were collected at the end of the workday and during the subsequent hour, compared to 10 healthy controls.

Main Results:

• During work, fillet workers exhibited low SBF, temperature, and TEWL, with high electrical capacitance.
• Post-work, SBF, temperature, and TEWL rapidly increased above normal levels, while electrical capacitance dropped below normal.
• Positive correlations were found between skin temperature and TEWL, and negative correlations between capacitance and temperature/TEWL.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms that temporary physiological skin alterations during and after work contribute to dry skin complaints in fish processing workers.
• The observed changes explain the low incidence of chapping and eczema during work and the subsequent dryness.
• These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate post-work skin dryness in this industry.