title: Somatic symptoms among cosmetologists compared to women in other occupations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the literature pertaining to the cosmetology occupation and specific health effects, such as asthma, dermatitis, and reproductive function, has grown substantially, little information is available about whether cosmetologists are at increased risk of other symptoms compared to women working in other occupations. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if cosmetologists of reproductive age are at increased risk of self-reported symptoms compared to women of the same age working in other occupations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed from 450 cosmetologists and 511 women in other occupations, aged 21-55 years, in the Baltimore metropolitan region who responded to a mailed survey that ascertained detailed data on symptoms as well as usual work tasks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data showed that cosmetologists were at increased risk of memory and sleep disturbances, muscle weakness, throat irritation, and hot flashes compared to women of the same age working in other occupations after adjustment for confounders, including cigarette smoking. Among the cosmetologists, handling cleaning supplies; hair bleaching; use of straighteners, texturizers, or permanent chemicals; and several nail care work tasks were associated with one or more of the queried symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this study suggest that, compared to noncosmetologists, cosmetologists are at increased risk for a number of symptoms reported to be associated with decreased quality of life. These symptoms may also reflect chronic exposure to chemicals that have been shown to be related to more severe long-term health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: The Prevention and Research Center, The Weinberg Center for Women's Health & Medicine, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallicchio
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zacur
authors.forename: Jodi A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Flaws
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D001505:Beauty Culture; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics