Know your skin
What is it ?
- Skin acts as a physical barrier to the limit loss of water and essential compounds out of the body.
- It also acts as a barrier against infection. It is made up of many thin layers of cells, and is also rich in proteins and fats.
- The thickness of skin varies across the body with the thickest parts on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
- Damage to skin from cracks, cuts, burns or abrasions, or from diseases such as dermatitis or psoriasis, impairs the skins barrier functions, allowing substances such as hazardous oils or chemicals to penetrate more easily.
- Substances that you work with may cause allergies when you breathe them in.
- Such substances are called respiratory sensitisers.
- They can cause permanent damage to parts of the respiratory system such as nose, throat, and lungs.
- Further exposure, even to minute quantities, may result in allergic symptoms.
How does it affect you?
Symptoms can be:
- Watery and itchy eyes
- Itchy and runny nose
This can be followed by more severe
asthmatic symptoms such as:
