A descriptive study of occupational skin disease.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the types and proportions of occupational skin disease presenting to a private dermatology practice.


METHODS
Patients presenting to a private dermatology practice between May 1987 and May 1993, and in whom a diagnosis of occupational skin disease was confirmed formed the basis of the study. Their files were searched for information on diagnosis, age, sex, and occupation.


RESULTS
Contact dermatitis accounted for nearly 70% of cases. The food, hairdressing, and medical industries accounted for over a third of occupational skin diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are similar to Australian studies but at variance with European, American and Asian studies with respect to the types of industry accounting for the majority of occupational skin diseases. Nondermatitis occupational skin diseases are not uncommon but often go unrecognised.
Judd
L
L
Wellington Clinical School of Medicine.
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D001505:Beauty Culture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015983:Selection Bias; D014581:Urticaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D014860:Warts / Q000453:epidemiology