Profile of dermatological disorders among construction workers: A cross-sectional study

Background: The construction industry is a growing industry worldwide, including India, employing a large population. Construction workers perform a variety of work including mixing concrete and carrying heavy objects. Occupational contact dermatitis is a significant occupational dermatosis, cement being the most important agent and is an occupational hazard. Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of occupational skin diseases among construction workers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Manipal, Karnataka, among 300 construction workers. A detailed inquiry was made on demographic parameters such as age, sex, nature of work, duration of the job, chemicals exposed to, symptoms, and use of protective devices. They were examined to note the symptoms, clinical pattern, and distribution of lesions. Results: The majority of the workers belonged to the age group between 20 and 29 years. The common skin disorders noticed were callosities (17.33%), traumatic injuries (10%), dermatophyte infections (8.33%), and dermatitis (5.7%) along with few other dermatoses encountered due to increased exposure to heat and due to increased wet work in workers who did not wear protective devices. Conclusions: There is a lack of preemployment and periodic medical examinations for construction workers. Common dermatoses seen among the construction workers were mainly due to the lack of preventive measures. Hence, it is important to raise health awareness to recognize early signs and symptoms of various dermatoses and educate regarding the use of personal protective equipment.