Introduction Parachute riggers are specialised tradesmen involved in packing parachutes. Occupational dermatoses has never been studied in them despite their job entailing hard manual work.

Objective To observe and record hand and nail changes in parachute riggers.

Methods Parachute riggers working at the Paratrooper Training School (PTS) Agra consenting to participate in the study were enrolled. A brief history and hand and nail changes seen using a hand-lens were recorded. Data was analysed using R Project for Statistical Computing version R 3.6.2 for Windows.

Results Seventy-six parachute riggers were examined. All had some change and many had more than one change. The mean age was 29.66 years and mean duration of employment in PTS was 29.73 months. All were males. Callosities and loss of cuticle were the commonest abnormalities seen and were present in 61 (80.26%) and 57 (75%) subjects, respectively. Other common changes noted were fissures, xeroderma, pigmentation and dermatitis. Onychomycosis, onychoschizia and splinter haemorrhages were the commonest nail changes seen. Multiple correspondence analysis showed that there was a clustering of all findings barring deformities, digital resorption, paronychia and xeroderma. Odds for chronic irritant dermatitis was related to age of worker and duration of employment. This study is the first study documenting occupational dermatoses in parachute riggers. Since most of them did not use protective gear, repeated trauma due to thorns, and seeds ensnared in parachute fabric, micro-trauma resulting from friction and constant dryness were factors predisposing them to irritant contact dermatitis. Constant pressure during packing predisposed them to splitting of nails, and splinter haemorrhages.

Conclusion Riggers are special tradesmen involved in all steps of parachute packing. All riggers had some manifestation of occupational skin disease. Most of the changes observed were secondary to repeated friction and pressure insults and dryness of the hands.