Dermatological Illnesses of Immigrant Poultry-Processing Workers in North Carolina
May 2005
in “
Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health
”
TLDR All immigrant workers in the study had skin problems, with fungal nail infections, athlete's foot, and acne or folliculitis being most common, affecting their quality of life, yet they didn't seek medical help.
In February 2005, a study involving 25 male Latino immigrant workers from a North Carolina poultry-processing plant revealed that all participants suffered from at least one skin condition, with the most prevalent being onychomycosis (76%), tinea pedis (72%), and acne or folliculitis (64%). The study showed a significant impact on quality of life, as indicated by a mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score of 3.72, yet none of the workers had sought medical treatment. Age was linked to pigmentary skin diseases, with those aged 30 and above being more likely to have such conditions. The lack of professional care, despite the high incidence of skin diseases and the use of home remedies, suggests a need for further investigation into the occupational and nonoccupational factors contributing to these dermatological issues. The study's limitations included its small, nonrandom sample size and the absence of a control group.
