Evaluating work relevancy of dermatitis. Basic cognitive skills

Occupational contact dermatitis is recognized by its history, appearance, and location. The leading causes of work related skin disease are chemical agents that include primary irritants, allergic- and photosensitizers, and systemic intoxicants that are absorbed through the skin. Recognized guidelines must be used to determine work relevancy: either the skin eruption if related directly to a specific workplace exposure or the work environment caused an aggravating effect on a preexisting non-work related skin disorder. The health care provider's role in industry is not only to examine, diagnose, and treat an injured person's dermatitis, but to identify the cause of the skin eruption and make recommendations for protective measures to prevent recurrent morbidity.