title: Occupational skin diseases in national servicemen and military personnel in Singapore, 1989-1999.
abstract: This is a study of occupational skin disease among military personnel and conscripts in Singapore. All military personnel and conscripts diagnosed with occupational dermatoses in the National Skin Centre, Singapore, between 1989-1999 were studied retrospectively. Conscripts and regulars comprised 7.3% of all occupational skin disease patients seen. All were male, with a mean age of 23 years. Irritant contact dermatitis was more common than allergic contact dermatitis, by 4.4:1. The most common vocations associated with occupational skin diseases are those involving vehicle repairs and maintenance (48%) and food handling (19%). The most common irritants were oil/grease (66%), wet work (23%) and solvents (18%). The most common allergens were food (40%) and chromates (20%). Military personnel and conscripts make up a significant proportion of occupational skin disease patients seen in Singapore.
authors.affiliation: National Skin Centre, Singapore.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Goon
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Goh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens