title: Hand eczema in car mechanics.
abstract: To estimate the prevalence of hand eczema, a questionnaire was distributed to 901 male car mechanics. Of the 801 persons who responded, 15% reported hand eczema on some occasion in the previous 12 months, and 57% admitted dry skin on the hands. In a 2nd part of the study, those who reported hand eczema were examined and patch tested with a standard series and a special "car mechanics' series". The most common diagnosis was irritant contact dermatitis, 55%, and 2nd was allergic contact dermatitis, 19%. 35/105 (33%) had a total of 51 positive patch test reactions, all to substances in the standard series, except for 2 persons who reacted to oxidized d-limonene. The most frequent reactions were to thimerosal (9%), nickel (8%) and colophony (5%). One plausible explanation for the high prevalence of nickel allergy was the common use of nickel-plated tools. 5 individuals had a history of contact urticaria, but scratch tests were negative. It was concluded that car mechanics are at high risk for contact dermatitis on the hands, irritant as well as allergic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Dermatology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Solna, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meding
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barregård
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marcus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D001336:Automobiles; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000453:epidemiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077222:Limonene; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000009:adverse effects; D013849:Thimerosal / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D053138:Cyclohexenes; D007509:Irritants; D013729:Terpenes; D013849:Thimerosal; C029938:nickel sulfate; D009532:Nickel; D000077222:Limonene