----- Original Message -----From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Chris PackhamTo: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 11:10 AMSubject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Assessing Food HandlersI would always recommend a full check on the skin of the hands. Dry, scaly skin is more easily colonised by transient bacteria which could represent a problem in terms of cross-contamination. Even where gloves are worn, the dry skin will predispose to irritant contact dermatitis underneath the gloves.Unfortunately, dry skin is not always easy to detect visually. Studies have shown that it is possible to have skin that appears to be adequately hydrated, but where skin hydration measurement show it to be dry, indicating sub-clinical damage. Equally it is possible for the skin surface to appear dry whereas the hydration measurement shows the general condition of the stratum corneum to be satisfactory.So whilst a visual check is essential and valuable (the only way to detect an allergic condition), you do need to recognise its limitations. It should, of course, be accompanied by a questionnaire to establish baseline and non-occupational considerations.ChrisEnviroDerm Services U.K. Ltd.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please remove this footer before replying.
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