Dermatitis Glossary/ Terminology Explained

Allergy is an abnormal immunological reaction of the body to chemical and biological allergen (see below) and may manifest itself as asthma, rhinitis and allergic dermatitis. It is essentially an unwanted (or faulty) reaction of the immune system.

Allergen: Any substance that causes immune sensitisation or allergy. Common allergens include pollen, grass, house-dust mite, animal dander, feathers, cow’s milk, eggs and peanuts.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis is a type of skin hypersensitivity and the onset of symptoms may be delayed by several days after exposure. Once sensitized, fresh exposure to the sensitizing material can trigger itching and dermatitis within hours.

Eczema: Also called allergic contact dermatitis, this is a red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison Ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions

Allergic reaction: The hypersensitive response of the immune system of an allergic individual to a substance.

Anaphylaxis: A rapid, severe and potentially life threatening, allergic reaction that can cause restriction of breathing, shock and circulatory collapse.

Antihistamines; Medicines that relieve allergic symptoms.

Asthma: A commonly occurring and potentially life-threatening illness where the breathing airways become inflamed and swollen, thus causing breathing difficulty. Asthma has many causes, one of which is allergy (allergic asthma).

Atopic: People prone to common allergies e.g. hay fever, or allergic to pets.

Barrier Cream: Cream used to protect the hand from constant wet work or dryness

Body Fluid: Blood, urine,

Corrosive Chemicals: Chemicals which may damage the skin, eyes or other parts on the body on contact because of their extreme acidity or alkalinity or because they contain oxygen or reactive chemicals.

COSHH (the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health). The COSHH regulations impose a number of obligations on employers; the object of the regulations is to promote safe working with potentially hazardous chemicals (see )

Chemical permeation: Chemicals getting through gloves ( Maximum time for protection from chemical is 8 hours).

Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin which may be brought about by repeated contact with chemicals. A wide variety of chemicals may be responsible, especially those which can cause de-fatting of the skin, such as chlorinated solvents. Irritation, cracked skin and blisters are common symptoms. Dermatitis may also arise if a person is susceptible to sensitization, and is allergic to butyl rubber, latex or other types of gloves designed to protect the skin from contact with chemicals.

Hives: A common name for the red, intensely itching wheals on the skin, which are a common symptom of urticaria (see below).

HSE: The Health and Safety Executive. The HSE web site can be reached through The HSE is responsible for proposing and enforcing safety regulations throughout UK industry and academia. Publications are available on a wide variety of safety-related issues.

Hypersensitivity:The immune system does not generally produce anti-bodies and is not involved, rather the person experiences a pathologically heightened sensitivity in one or more of the body's organs.

Immune response is the reaction of the body to foreign substances (or those that are treated as foreign). This response might be the production of antibodies, cell-mediated immunity, immunological tolerance, or hypersensitivity (that is, the development of symptoms of allergy).

An irritant is a chemical which may cause reversible inflammation of the skin on contact.

IOSH: Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. IOSH has its home page at

Infectious materials: Viruses, bacteria

WEL (Workplace Exposure Limit) A (generally legally-enforceable) limit on the amount or concentration of a chemical to which workers may be exposed (see )

An Oxidizing Agent may be defined to mean a chemical which can act as an electron acceptor. A variety of substances can act as oxidizing agents. Oxygen on its own is a reasonably strong oxidizing agent, but other materials, such as fluorine, metal nitrates, potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), or sodium dichromate are very effective. Strong oxidizing agents are often very reactive chemicals.

Impermeability is the capacity of the glove material to stop chemicals getting through the glove when coming in contact.

Permeation Rate is a measure of the rate at which a chemical will pass through protective material, such as that used for gloves. It is generally specified as the mass of material passing through unit area in unit time. For this value to be meaningful, the thickness of the protective material must also be specified.

Photoallergic Contact Dermatitis is a skin condition brought on by exposure to light following skin contact with certain types of chemicals in plants.

PPE is an acronym for Personal Protective Equipment, and refers to whatever protective equipment may be used to insulate an individual from the chemical, thermal, explosive or other hazards presented by the work place. In case pd dermatitis the PPE will refer to gloves.

A Sensitizer is a chemical which may lead to the development of allergic reactions after repeated exposure.

Skin prick test: An allergy test that involves placing a small amount of suspected allergen to a scratch on the skin.

Urticaria: The appearance of wheals or hives after just stroking or scratching the skin firmly, in otherwise healthy people

Wick through: Chemical getting through coated glove with knitted liner