JSP 375 Vol 2 

MoD Health & Safety Handbook 

21  Some creams may assist in the removal of oils, dirt and other contaminants during subsequent 

washing, but as such they must not be regarded as a method of preventing exposure.  Barrier  creams 

should only be used if recommended by a suitably qualified health professional, which means an 

occupational physician, an occupational health nurse or an occupational hygienist. Wherever creams or 

other applications are used on the skin, it is 

essential

 that the preparation should be suitable for the 

task; for example, some creams or ointments could actually provide a vehicle for the absorption of some 

contaminants, e.g. the use of petroleum jelly on the hands when handling oils and hydrocarbons. So 

called barrier creams are no substitute for suitable gloves or other PPE. 

NOTE 

PPE, Soaps, Barrier and other Creams and Health Surveillance for the prevention of occupational 

dermatitis are `site specific' or Level 2 Services (in relation to the Civilian OH Contract) that have to 

be paid for by the local budget holder.   

OTHER OCCUPATIONAL SKIN DISEASES 

Chloracne 

22  Chloracne is a form of cystic acne caused by exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbon (often cooling) 

oils (PCBs, chlorinated dibenzo dioxins and furans) appearing usually, at first, as blackheads (though 

often paler) and cysts on the forehead and eyelids but spreading elsewhere with continued exposure.  It 

can result in severe discomfort and leads to disfiguration through extensive scarring and pigmentation 

and the chemical exposures can also result in liver and nerve damage. 

Contact Urticaria 

23  Urticaria describes the wheal and flare of "hives" or "nettle rash" which appear within minutes of 

contact. There are non allergic and allergic forms. 

23.1 

Non allergic contact urticaria is the less serious and results from local inflammation caused 

typically by certain plants (nettles), insects (and some caterpillars), jellyfish, anemones, coral and 

seaweeds; chemicals responsible for this form include alcohols and preservatives such as benzoic 

and ascorbic acids. 

23.2 

Allergic contact urticaria will not result from an initial exposure but will present in 

progressively worse form with each successive exposure and may be accompanied by respiratory, 

intestinal and other more widespread bodily effects and so may result in an acute emergency.  It is 

associated particularly with animal products and protein containing foods. Urticaria may also be 

induced by physical causes such as exposure to sun, cold and water. 

Neoplasia 

24  Neoplasia infers change in cells that has resulted in benign or malignant tumour formation, in this 

case of the skin.  Those of occupational concern may be divided into the 

non melanoma skin cancers

(NMSC) and 

malignant melanomas

 (MM). 

24.1 

NMSC comprises two forms that are associated in over 90% of cases with exposure to 

sunlight though other causes include exposure to ionising radiation, pitch, tar, soot, lubricants, 

cutting oils and arsenic.  NMSC is seen predominantly in older persons, usually many years after 

first exposure to the perceived cause. 

24.2 

Exposure to ultraviolet light especially resulting in burning during childhood is thought to be 

a significant cause of MM, though the relationship is neither so strong nor so clear as with NMSC; 

MM, however, is responsible for the greater number of deaths from skin cancer, as NMSC are 

rarely fatal.  MM is frequently seen in much younger persons especially those with fair skin, red or 

blond hair, lighter coloured eyes and a tendency to freckling and sunburn rather than tanning. 

Leaflet 5 Annex E 

Page 6 

 April 

2003