Common Dermatoses and Predisposing Factors in Food Handlers in a University Campus: A Cross-sectional Study

Alexis Paula D. Ibañez, Patricia Anne Nicole O. Ramirez, Ma. Angela M. Lavadia

2018

Abstract

Behind food industries are the food handlers that thoroughly prepare the meals we consume on a daily basis. Food and food preparation activities are noted to be a cause of skin conditions. Since dermatoses are often multifactorial in origin, the various contributing factors to disease can be difficult to determine. The objectives of this study are to describe the demographic characteristics of food handlers, identify the common dermatoses seen and possible inherent individual factors, work-related events and external triggers in the workplace that contribute to the common skin conditions. A prospective cross-sectional study was done. 160 food handlers participated in this study. All went to the UP Health Service and underwent a complete dermatologic history and physical examination, and managed accordingly. The most common diagnoses of food handlers are xerosis, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) secondary to burn, melasma, chronic hand dermatitis and verruca plana, atopic dermatitis and dermatophytoses. Melasma, solar lentigenes, dermatosis papulosa nigra and compound nevus were significantly associated to sun exposure. Exposure to cleaning agents was significantly associated with xerosis, chronic hand dermatitis and acne vulgaris. Food handlers exposed to heat were significantly associated with PIH secondary to burn. Skin disease has a large number of factors instrumental in the development and progression of disease. All food handlers should be encouraged to report all potential work-related dermatoses and seek consult for full evaluation by a physician. Further research on occupational skin disease is vital towards improving environmental and occupational research in the Philippines.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Ibañez A., Ramirez P. and Lavadia M. (2018). Common Dermatoses and Predisposing Factors in Food Handlers in a University Campus: A Cross-sectional Study. In Proceedings of the 23rd Regional Conference of Dermatology - Volume 1: RCD, ISBN 978-989-758-494-7, pages 262-266. DOI: 10.5220/0008155302620266

in Bibtex Style

@conference{rcd18,
author={Alexis Paula D. Ibañez and Patricia Anne Nicole O. Ramirez and Ma. Angela M. Lavadia},
title={Common Dermatoses and Predisposing Factors in Food Handlers in a University Campus: A Cross-sectional Study},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 23rd Regional Conference of Dermatology - Volume 1: RCD,},
year={2018},
pages={262-266},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0008155302620266},
isbn={978-989-758-494-7},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 23rd Regional Conference of Dermatology - Volume 1: RCD,
TI - Common Dermatoses and Predisposing Factors in Food Handlers in a University Campus: A Cross-sectional Study
SN - 978-989-758-494-7
AU - Ibañez A.
AU - Ramirez P.
AU - Lavadia M.
PY - 2018
SP - 262
EP - 266
DO - 10.5220/0008155302620266