People whose complaints are related to working conditions often seek medical help. Occupational diseases are the subject of a separate section of medicine. Any pathological process can be prevented if you seek help in a timely manner and follow the doctor's recommendations.
The article will discuss the professional diseases of hairdressers, which are most common.
Contact dermatitis
The working conditions of the hairdresser cannot be called ideal. The specialist has to stay on his feet for a long time, contact with aggressive chemicals. The latter factor often provokes redness and irritation of the skin. Contact dermatitis is a pathology that hairdressers often have to deal with. An inflammatory skin reaction develops in response to irritating factors. These are various hair sprays and dyes. The pathological process in hairdressers can develop in acute and chronic form. Symptoms will also depend on the nature of the substance affecting the skin.
Most often, specialists develop erythematous dermatitis. The area of the epidermis that has been in contact with the chemical turns red, a slight swelling appears. In some cases, soreness and itching may be present. As the pathological process develops, the skin becomes dry, and cracks may appear on it. Bullous dermatitis develops less often . At the site of the lesion, blisters filled with liquid contents appear.
Mild contact dermatitis, as a rule, does not require special treatment. Unpleasant symptoms disappear within a few days after the elimination of the negative factor. To prevent occupational disease of hairdressers in the future, it is recommended to use special rubber gloves in the work. Special anti-inflammatory ointments will help to quickly remove redness and itching of the skin. However, self-medication is not worth it. The drug should be prescribed by a doctor.
Bronchial asthma in hairdressers
This disease is common among beauty salons . However, it does not appear immediately. Bronchial asthma can develop after several years of working with dyes and varnishes. The pathological process is most often provoked by persulfates. These are salts of supra sulfuric acid, which are found in hair bleaching agents.
Bronchial asthma is a chronic non-infectious disease of the respiratory tract. The inflammatory process leads to hyperactivity of the bronchi. At the next contact with the allergen, an instant obstruction of the lungs develops, the person begins to suffocate. The flow of air to the lungs decreases sharply. Attacks of suffocation by hairdressers can occur at different intervals. In the remission stage, the inflammatory process in the respiratory system persists. Therefore, patients should always carry an inhaler with them for first aid.
If we consider the dangerous occupational diseases of hairdressers, asthma is in one of the first places. Pathology can lead to death with untimely assistance. Along with this, the pathological process lends itself well to treatment. Hairdressers with such a pathology are advised to change their profession or abandon work related to dyes and varnishes.
Bladder cancer
This pathological process is also included in the list of occupational diseases of hairdressers. Many persistent dyes and hair sprays contain carcinogens that can trigger the development of a malignant tumor. Toxins are excreted mostly with urine. Therefore, the bladder is most at risk. Harmful substances can enter the body through the skin or respiratory tract. Therefore, hairdressers are advised to work with gloves, as well as use a special mask.
Bladder cancer in hairdressers is common enough. In 60% of cases of urinary tract pathologies, malignancy is diagnosed. Blood excretion along with urine is an early sign of a pathological process. Other signs of the disease may not be present at the initial stage. In some cases, total hematuria develops. Urine turns scarlet, whole blood clots are released. Against the background of blood loss, a sharp decrease in hemoglobin develops. Urinary retention is also often observed.
At an advanced stage, the disease urination becomes frequent and painful. A bacterial infection may join the affected area. At the same time, pus begins to be excreted along with urine.
Treatment of bladder cancer in hairdressers is carried out only by surgery. Additionally, the patient is prescribed radiation or chemotherapy. With a timely detected tumor, the prognosis is usually favorable.
Allergic reactions
Harmful substances tend to accumulate in the body. Allergies in hairdressers are common. A pathological process develops, usually a few years after the start of professional activity. Initially, the chemicals used in dyes, gels and varnishes do not give any reaction. Then, rashes begin to appear on the skin even at the slightest contact with the irritant.
Urticaria is the most common form of allergy in hairdressers. The pathological process is manifested by the formation of blisters on the surface of the skin. If contact with the allergen is permanent, hives become chronic. Blisters with urticaria can appear almost immediately after contact with an irritant. Rashes often have a bright red tint, are characterized by itching. In the most difficult cases, patients develop a headache, and body temperature rises.
Identification and elimination of an allergen is the most effective treatment technique. Many hairdressers have to give up their professions in order to avoid the development of dangerous complications. It is possible to stop an attack of urticaria with the help of antihistamines, such as Tavegil, Suprastin, Diazolin, etc.
Osteochondrosis
The list of occupational diseases of hairdressers includes pathological processes associated with the musculoskeletal system. Specialists working in beauty salons often have to deal with osteochondrosis. This is a chronic disease in which irreversible changes in the vertebrae occur. Hairdressers most often suffer from osteochondrosis of the cervical or lumbar spine. The pathological process is associated with the fact that the specialist has to be on his feet for a long time, in the same position.
Almost everyone develops osteochondrosis with age. This is one of the physiological processes of aging. However, hairdressers have pathological changes much earlier. The constant load on the spine triggers the early development of pathology.
Acute intense pain in the neck or lower back is the first sign of osteochondrosis. Unpleasant sensations intensify during movement, so the patient tries to take the most comfortable position for him. With the help of anesthetics, pain can be stopped. However, after some time, unpleasant symptoms return. Dull pain of a constant nature may be observed.
Like other professional diseases of hairdressers, osteochondrosis should not be ignored. Therapy is carried out using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. After the relief of acute inflammation, the patient is prescribed physiotherapy exercises.
Conjunctivitis
This is the most common eye disease that hairdressers also face. The pathological process is characterized by damage to the mucous membrane covering the inner surface of the eyelids. The disease may be bacterial in nature. But hairdressers have a pathological process caused by chemical irritants - a pair of dyes and means for fixing the hair. The conjunctiva of the eye performs a protective function and the first takes a blow upon contact with various irritants. If you refuse timely treatment of the affected area, a bacterial infection joins. In this case, it is already necessary to conduct therapy using antibiotics.
Symptoms of the disease may depend on its form. In most cases, swelling and hyperemia of the eyelids, itching and burning in the affected area develop. If a bacterial infection is present, pus will be released from the eye. When conjunctivitis in hairdressers, as a rule, both eyes are affected. But even if the disease manifests itself on the one hand, therapy must be carried out symmetrically.
As with other professional diseases of hairdressers, conjunctivitis is an occasion for registration of sick leave. The affected area must be washed with antiseptic solutions. Additionally, anti-inflammatory eye ointments can be prescribed. If a bacterial infection is present, local antibiotics are used.
Eczema
Inflammatory skin disease has a long and chronic course. Occupational dermatitis and eczema are interconnected. If a specialist does not pay attention to unpleasant symptoms and continues to contact the irritant, the pathological process begins to become chronic.
Eczema in hairdressers is characterized by a chronic course with periods of remissions and exacerbations. In the affected area (in hairdressers it is most often hands), small red vesicles are found. They may contain serous fluid. After opening the vesicles, a crust forms in their place. In some places, single larger rashes can be observed.
In the study of professional diseases of hairdressers and their prevention, timely detection of provoking factors is of great importance. The specialist should limit contact with chemicals that can cause skin irritation. With any type of eczema, the use of antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated. Additionally, sedatives may be prescribed. Good results show retinol ointments. With a complex form of eczema, hormonal therapy can be prescribed to the patient.
Phlebeurysm
Varicose veins are considered common among hairdressers. Specialists have to stay on their feet for a long time. As a result, the lower limbs are under heavy stress. The walls of the blood vessels in this area are thinning, the lumen of the veins increases. Pathology leads to expansion, tortuous blood vessels. The saphenous veins swell, unattractive spider veins appear.
In addition to the profession, there may be other negative factors affecting the development of the disease. First of all, this is a genetic predisposition. If the parents had varicose veins, children will most likely have to deal with pathology. Women are more at risk of developing the disease. Due to the increase in the volume of circulating blood, varicose disease often begins to develop during pregnancy. When a woman goes to work after maternity leave, the pathological process is exacerbated. Overweight is another negative factor that provokes the disease.
At an early stage of the disease, conservative therapy will help to cope with unpleasant symptoms. The hairdresser needs to reduce the load on his legs, review the diet. Good results are shown by physiotherapy exercises. In order to prevent the progression of the pathological process, compression knitwear is prescribed.
To remove existing varicose nodes is possible only with the help of surgical intervention. Microsurgical techniques make it possible to remove a defect with a minimal risk of complications.
Radiculitis
The disease is associated with damage to the spinal cord root. At hairdressers, lumbosacral radiculitis most often develops due to prolonged exposure to the same position. The pathological process always initially develops in an acute form. If left untreated, it will become chronic.
Decreased sensitivity in the lower back, pain when bending or lifting weights, decreased reflexes - all these are symptoms of radiculitis. Pain can be worse when walking or coughing.
Radiculitis is dangerous for its complications. If you refuse timely therapy, herniated discs may develop. As a result, large radicular veins can be compressed. This in turn leads to spinal cord infarction or other dangerous consequences.
Radiculitis treatment is carried out by a neurologist. The patient is shown bed rest, pain medications are prescribed. After stopping the acute period, the patient is shown physiotherapy exercises.
Accident and occupational health insurance
With official employment, each employee can rely on compensation for damage to health received in the workplace. Obligations of the employer are provided for in Federal Law No. 125 (federal law). Hairdressers, like other officially employed persons, pay monthly social contributions. When you have to face a professional ailment, part of the damage will be compensated.
However, Federal Law No. 125 is no reason to stop worrying about your health. Hairdressers should use special masks and gloves, relax more. Such prevention will avoid unpleasant occupational diseases.