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Lorna The fact that he has worked in the factory for several years is not really that relevant. Sensitisation can occur at any time from first contact to after handling the chemical for many years. There is no way you can determine whether someone is at particular risk or detect an impending allergic reaction until you actually see the condition. Firstly, until you know exactly what he is reacting to it is very difficult to suggest what can be done to manage the problem. From the limited information it sounds as if this could be an allergic reaction to para-phenylene-diamine in the black rubber mix. PPD is well known as a skin sensitiser. However, until patch testing is done to see if this is the case we really do not know the cause. I am also concerned at the idea that he continues the treatment prescribed by his GP. If this is on-going use of a topical steroid this could actually compound the problem. So what is needed is referral (preferably privately if the company will pay so as to avoid the usually long wait via the NHS route) to a consultant dermatologist who specialises in contact dermatitis and, if possible, has a particular interest in occupational skin problems. These are fairly few and far between and, as I don't know where this person is located I cannot make a suggestion. Once you have the results of the patch test then you can start to put a management plan together. If you feel you would like to discuss this feel free to give me a call. Feel free to call me on my mobile out of hours is this helps. Chris Chris Packham FRSPH, FInstSMM, MCMI, MIIRSM, MBICSc EnviroDerm Services Unit 10, Building 11, The Mews, Mitcheldean, GL17 0SN Tel: +44 1386 832 311 (office), Mobile: +44 7818 035 898 ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH