Irritation
Occupational hazards |
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Hierarchy of hazard controls |
Occupational hygiene |
Study |
Irritation, in
Irritation can also be induced by some allergic response due to exposure of some allergens for example contact dermatitis, irritation of mucosal membranes and pruritus. Mucosal membrane is the most common site of irritation because it contains secretory glands that release mucous which attracts the allergens due to its sticky nature.
Chronic irritation is a medical term signifying that afflictive health conditions have been present for a while. There are many disorders that can cause chronic irritation, the majority involve the skin, vagina, eyes and lungs.
Irritation in organisms
In higher organisms, an allergic response may be the cause of irritation. An allergen is defined distinctly from an irritant, however, as allergy requires a specific interaction with the immune system and is thus dependent on the (possibly unique) sensitivity of the organism involved while an irritant, classically, acts in a non-specific manner.
It is a form of
In more basic organisms, the status of pain is the perception of the being stimulated, which is not observable although it may be shared (see gate control theory of pain).
It is not proven that oysters can feel pain, but it is known that they react to irritants. When an irritating object becomes trapped within an oyster's shell, it deposits layers of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), slowly increasing in size and producing a pearl. This is purely a defense mechanism, to trap a potentially threatening irritant such as a parasite inside its shell, or an attack from outside, injuring the mantle tissue. The oyster creates a pearl sac to seal off the irritation.
It has also been observed that an amoeba avoids being prodded with a pin, but there is not enough evidence to suggest how much it feels this. Irritation is apparently the only universal sense shared by even single-celled creatures.
It is postulated that most such beings also feel pain, but this is a projection –
Types
Eye irritation
Modern office work with use of office equipment has raised concerns about possible adverse health effects.
The eye is also a source of chronic irritation. Disorders like
Blepharitis is dryness and itching on the upper eyelids. This condition is often seen in young people and can lead to reddish dry eye and scaly eyebrows. To relieve the itching sensation, one may need to apply warm compresses and use topical corticosteroid creams.
Skin
Another common irritation disorder in females is intertrigo. This disorder is associated with chronic irritation under folds of skin. This is typically seen under large breasts, groins and folds of the abdomen in obese individuals. Candida quickly grows in warm moist areas of these folds and presents as a chronic itch. Over time, the skin becomes red and often oozes. Perspiration is also a chronic type of irritation which can be very annoying. Besides being socially unacceptable, sweat stain the clothes and can present with a foul odor. In some individuals, the warm moist areas often become easily infected. The best way to treat excess sweating is good hygiene, frequent change of clothes and use of deodorants/antiperspirants.
Vaginal irritation
One of the most common areas of the body associated with irritation is the
Lungs
Individuals who smoke or are exposed to smog or other airborne pollutants can develop a condition known as
Stomach
See also
- Allergy
- Irritability (psychology)
- Itch
- Stimulus (physiology)
References
- ^ Jaakkola, Maritta S. and Jouni J. K. Jaakkola. "Office Equipment and Supplies: A Modern Occupational Health Concern?", American Journal of Epidemiology, 1999, pp. 1223, Vol. 150, No. 11
- ^ Nordström K., D. Norbäck, and R. Akselsson. "Influence of indoor air quality and personal factors on the sick building syndrome (SBS) in Swedish geriatric hospitals.", Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 1995, pp. 170-176, Vol. 52.
- ^ Dry Eye Diganosis And Treatment Archived 2010-04-05 at the Wayback Machine Dry Eye Diagnosis And Treatment. Retrieved on 2010-01-12
- ^ Eczema Condition Factsheets Archived 2010-02-13 at the Wayback Machine Yahoo Health. Retrieved on 2010-01-12
- ^ What is chronic bronchitis Archived 2010-06-15 at the Wayback Machine Family Doctor. Retrieved on 2010-01-12
- ^ gastritis Information Mayo Clinic. Retrieved on 2010-01-12