title: Dermatological screening and results of patch testing among Polish apprentice hairdressers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High prevalence of occupational dermatoses among hairdressers has been confirmed in many studies, while work-related skin disorders in apprentice hairdressers are less known.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of work-related skin disorders among apprentice hairdressers, and to identify the factors contributing to the development of dermatoses during vocational training.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred thirty-nine apprentice hairdressers, aged 17-19 years, were included in the study. A questionnaire survey, personal interview, dermatological examination and patch tests were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Present or past work-related skin conditions affecting the hands were reported by 43.9% of individuals, and diagnosed in 25.9% on dermatological examination. Positive patch test results were found in 38.1%. The most frequent allergens were nickel (29.3% of all tested) and ammonium persulfate (8.3%). Allergic contact dermatitis was recorded in 27.3%, and was of occupational origin in 87.9% of all tested individuals. Irritant contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 51.1% of participants (this prevalence was higher than that based only on an interview). Survey responses revealed inadequate knowledge of the risk of occupational skin diseases and protective measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is necessary to implement an educational programme for apprentice hairdressers, in order to increase their knowledge of the risk of skin damage and to promote appropriate use of protective measures, starting from the earliest stages of their training.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, Centre of Occupational Allergy and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland. krecisz@imp.lodz.pl
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krecisz
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiec-Swierczynska
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chomiczewska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects; D001505:Beauty Culture; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010328:Patch Tests; D010808:Physical Examination; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C031276:ammonium peroxydisulfate; D009532:Nickel; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate