Skin disorders may result in a significant and long lasting impairment.   If these disorders involve extensive areas of the body or critical areas such as the hands or feet, they can be especially restrictive.  The skin disorder must be shown to have persisted or expected to persist for at least twelve months despite treatment.  The discussion of skin disorders in this chapter will include burns, lacerations, traumatic deformities, disease induced deformities and some standard skin disorders.

General Evaluation

     No matter what the skin disorder or its cause, there are a number of basic criteria for evaluating these impairments.  Below is a list of factors to consider when trying to determine (if and how) a skin disease might interfere with the claimant's ability to work.

1.  Is there a significant deformity of any area of the body which would distract fellow  workers, or cause extreme anxiety to the claimant?  Does the disorder physically or psychologically reduce the claimant's ability to perform the job?  Do not overlook the psychological effects a deformity can have on a claimant.

2.  Does the skin disorder interfere with the claimant's ability to handle objects, stand,walk, see, hear or communicate?

3.  Is the disorder contagious or in any way dangerous to fellow workers?

4.  Are there any restrictive side affects from the medications used to treat the skin disorder?

5.  How does the working environment affect the skin disorder?  If the claimant's past work is with chemicals, this type of work may worsen the condition.  The claimant should be restricted from any environment which causes a worsening of his skin disorder.

6.  Does the condition cause restrictive pain on movement?

     If one or more of the above questions can be answered "yes" in respect to a claimant with a skin disorder, you may have a valid argument for an RFC reduction.   Always evaluate the specific restrictive effects which the skin disorder has on the claimant.

     Here is a list of some of the possible skin disorders you will encounter.  Since all skin disorders will be evaluated for the same physical criteria, we will not discuss the list.  If specific information about a given skin disorder is required, simply refer to your Merck Manual or other medical reference text.

Severe fungal infections
Psoriasis
Disorders of the sweat glands
Burns
Cataracts
Stasis dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
Warts
Severe acne
Alopecia Keloid
Hyperpigmentation
Hypopigmentation