Home UK English bricklayers' itch

Meaning of bricklayers' itch in English:

bricklayers' itch

(also bricklayer's itch, bricklayers itch)

noun

  • An occupational disease of bricklayers characterized by the presence of an itchy rash on the hands, attributed to contact with lime and other substances contained in mortar or cement.

Origin

Early 19th century; earliest use found in Thomas Bateman (1778–1821), physician and dermatologist.