Survey of the Dermatologic Problems of Workers in a Silk Factory

A survey of 106 workers (96 females and 10 males) in a silk factory near Bangalore (Karnataka) revealed a very high incidence of ichthyosis (58.4%) and palmar (61.3%) and plantar (78.3%) keratoderma. Both these genetic disorders were almost equally prevalent in different sections of the silk factory and thus were considered not to be related to the occupational work. However, maceration of the hands, palmar pitted keratolysis and dermatophytic infection of the hands were seen only in the boiling and reeling section where the workers have to immerse their hands in an alkaline water throughout their duty hours. Candidial paronychia and contact dermatitis were not seen.