1. Introduction
Cement which has a wide industrial usage is the leading cause of occupational skin diseases among construction workers, which presents as contact urticarial and contact dermatitis (1). One of the most reported skin problems among construction workers is contact dermatitis with cement causing by both allergic and irritant mechanisms (2). Cement irritant dermatitis ranges from acute from (cement burns) to cumulative irritate contact dermatitis (3-5).
2. Case Presentation
A 79-year-old man referred to our department with numerous symmetric hyper-keratotic papules with erythematous base on both hands and feet for about 20 years. He was a water and sewage worker since 25 years ago. He had been in prolonged contact with wet cement all these years. During this time, he experienced many episodes of pain and burning sensation companied with erythematous lesions, which were disappeared by removing contact with cement. In physical examination there were a large number of painful punctate hyper-keratotic papules with erythematous base located on sites of cement exposure hands (Figure 1 and 2) and feet (Figure 3 and 4).
All hematological and biochemical laboratory test results were normal. His laboratory tests shows WBC: 4900, RBC: 6.49, Hb: 15, MCV: 90, PLT: 120000, DIF: mixed: 10, Segment: 68, Lymphocytes: 22, ESR: 1, PT: 12, Inr: 2.3, PTT: 40, Albumin: 3.9, C4: 19, Cardiolipin: 3.2, C3: 77, antidsDNA: 12.TSH: 1.5. The histopathology of skin lesions showed skin tissue consisted of epidermis with hyperkeratosis, slight acanthuses and mild spongiosis underlined by relatively sclerotic and vascular dermis inflammation was insignificant. Mild spongiotic epidermal reaction compatible with chronic dermatitis (Figure 5).
Figure 1.
Numerous Hyperkeratotic Papules
Figure 2.
Close View of Keratotic Papules
Figure 3.
The Erythematous Base Hyperkeratotic Papules
Figure 4.
Punctate Hyper Keratoticpapules on Feet
Figure 5.
Histopathology Changes
3. Discussion
It is known that wet cement is an alkalis (5, 6), which can cause various lesions such as acute ulcerative damage (7). Necrotic skin changes appear 8-12 hours after exposure. Contact irritant cement dermatitis develops over months to years in those with continual exposure (7). Furthermore, the most common locations for cement contact irritant dermatitis are the feet and hands. The clinical presentations of chronic lesions are less sharply demarcated lesions with Xerosis, macular erythema and vesicles but hyperkeratose and lichenification predominant. These hyperkeratotic lesions are painful and pruritic; however, symptoms will relief after stopping cement exposure (2, 8).
In this case, a large number of hyperkeratotic papules on common sites of cement contact are observed. Contact dermatitis is one of the most frequently reported health problems among construction workers. Irritant contact dermatitis from cement ranges from cement burns to cumulative irritant contact dermatitis. Cement burns are rarely reported and are considered a severe form of acute irritant contact dermatitis. To the author’s knowledge most of the case reports regard this issue had been published at least one or two decades ago though this can bold that safe working is being applied in developed countries but in the developing countries we have to pay more attention to this issue which can effect occupational power of the society and can become a concern for professional workers (2, 6, 9). Machovcova reported a case of cement burn due to acute contact with cement while starting a new job, supporting our data this article pointed to the importance of education and awareness about contact dermatitis for workers (6).
In our case, occupational injury occurred due to patient’s lack of knowledge about safe work with cement and its importance. To prevent similar injuries, mostly in developing countries such as Iran with an increasing number of constructional industries, it is at a great importance to make workers accept adequate safety use. One important part of this acceptance is to increase general knowledge in this issue and the complications, which may happen by not considering the safety usage . Another part is to make safe work instruments accessible for workers. Considering these steps regarding the occupational skin injuries, the prevalence of these lesions will decrease.
