Occupational groups at risk are metal and construction workers, food processing employees, hair dressers, hospital staff and last but not least cosmeticians.
As a matter of fact, not always the harmful but frequently the obviously harmless substances are causing trouble when working with them.
Disorders of the stratum corneum, the external protective shield of the epidermis, lead to an augmented transepidermal water loss (TEWL), dry skin, later on to rhagades and to toxic degenerative eczema in the long run. At the same time, the risk of irritative and allergic contact eczema but also infections will augment since the permeability of the skin barrier for substances and germs is increased.
In some circumstances, additional factors join up and further boost the sensitivity of the skin, as for instance the disposition to atopic skin or also atrophy due to adverse effects of pharmaceutical drugs.
The most important and valuable work tools are the hands and that is why skin protection primarily concentrates on them. Please look for more details about preventive skin protection at:
Occupational insurance associations recommend DMS hand cream for skin protection.
Dr. Hans Lautenschläger | 
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