Occupational skin diseases are often overlooked in workplace health discussions, yet their impact on workers’ lives and productivity is significant. To highlight this critical issue, we spoke with Cecilia Svedman, a leading dermatology expert and course leader for our upcoming course Occupational Skin Diseases.

A Journey Rooted in Dermatology

Cecilia Svedman was educated at Lund University and did one year of my PhD training in the Department of Dermatology in Oxford, then Slade Hospital. “I did my medical training to become a specialist in dermatology at Skåne University Hospital Malmö, IKVM, Lund University. Here interest in occupational and environmental dermatology grew as the clinic in Malmö, with the Nordic clinics in Finland and Denmark, have a long tradition of excellent research in the field.”

Now, as the professor of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology in Malmö and head of the department, Svedman’s major interest remains with her patients. “Our clinic, covering the South Swedish Region, sees more than 1,000 patients a year with possible exogenous skin disease.”

“In our clinic, where translational medicine is always in focus, where chemists and dermatologists work on the same problem, and where new research questions constantly arise, it is difficult not to become interested.”

Svedman’s interest in her field of research was sparked early on. “I come from a family where questioning what is right and wrong was always important. Medicine of today would not be possible without research, and my father brought research questions constantly to our breakfast table.”

Svedman continues: “Early I met a fantastic dermatologist, Professor Ryan in Oxford, who combined research with a broad interest in culture and I realized that the field of dermatology opened up for many aspects of life. In the Nordic countries we can be proud of a long tradition of occupational dermatologists that have made outstanding contributions to the field and most important made a difference for the patients.  In our clinic, where translational medicine is always in focus, where chemists and dermatologists work on the same problem, and where new research questions constantly arise, it is difficult not to become interested.”

Navigating Challenges in Occupational Dermatology

“Unfortunately, a research problem within occupational dermatology most often means that there is a group of workers where the working conditions are not meeting up to safety standards. The increased use of medical devices, where personal protective equipment actually may cause contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis, is a modern clinical problem that needs attention. At present, we have a major outbreak of foot dermatitis where the employees have been recommended equipment causing contact allergy.

Challenges make us progress. However, the insufficient collaboration between clinicians and regulatory institutions on what we really do find in real-world data and how this can be transferred to regulations is a large challenge that demands time for administration and discussion and where time does not suffice.”

“I realized that the field of dermatology opened up for many aspects of life”

Occupational skin diseases are often underreported, according to Svedman. “In the majority of countries, it is still easier to dismiss a worker with occupational skin disease instead of providing preventive measures. Progress in safety measures and primary prevention is vital and how to empower the workers as this is a disease that is usually possible to prevent and where the employee can continue working when correct safety measures are provided.”

A Vision for Positive Impact

Discussing the broader implications of her research, Svedman notes, “In modern society, chemical substances find new use everywhere. As the consumer demands new products or better performance of products being used, there is a risk of exposure to irritants and possible allergens in totally new settings.

The case with acrylates is a very good example of this, an allergen group where there were a lot of occupational problems within dentistry. These are to a large extent solved with use of correct prevention but where the consumer’s demand for cosmetics in the form of artificial nails shifts the problem area to nail beauticians working with acrylic nails.

The challenge is that nail beauticians often lack strong union representation and are more difficult to reach. Positive impact within this field of research means identification of the culprit agent, proving the use of possible preventive measures but just as much information and collaboration with regulatory authorities.”

A Message to the Course Participants

“It is a privilege to work with patients who are often young and healthy and where rehabilitation and prevention is the major aim of your work as a clinician. Empathy and interest in the patient may be the factor that actually changes the trajectory of the person you are investigating and enables a change that will provide the means for the patient to stay at work or at least an aetiology to the skin symptoms. Bring a clinical problem for discussion!”

Join Cecilia Svedman and other experts in Malmö this November to explore the critical issues of occupational skin diseases and examine the latest advancements in diagnostics and prevention.

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Course: Occupational Skin Diseases – Diagnostics and Prevention 5th – 7th of November 2024, Quality Hotel View, Malmö, Sweden

More information: Course web page | Course registration | Last registration date: 19.9.2024.