title: Occupational contact dermatitis in hairdressers/cosmetologists:  retrospective analysis of north american contact dermatitis group data, 1994 to 2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  European studies document that occupational contact dermatitis (CD) is common in hairdressers, but studies from North America are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of occupational CD among North American hairdressers/cosmetologists (HD/CS) and to characterize responsible allergens and irritants as well as their sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional analysis of patients patch tested by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group between 1994 and 2010 was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 35,842 patients, 432 (1.2%) were HD/CS. Significantly, most of the HD/CS were female (89.8%) and younger than 40 years (55.6%) as compared with non-hairdressers (P < 0.0001). The rates for allergic and irritant CD in HD/CS were 72.7% and 37.0%, respectively. The most common body site of involvement was the hand, and this was significantly more common than in non-HD/CS (P < 0.0001). The most frequent currently relevant and occupationally related allergens were glyceryl thioglycolate, p-phenylenediamine, nickel sulfate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and quaternium-15. Hair dyes, permanent wave solutions, and other hair products were common sources of allergens. The North American Contact Dermatitis Group allergen series missed at least 1 occupationally-related allergen in 26.2% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contact dermatitis in North American HD/CS is common, and occupationally related allergens are those found in HD/CS products. Supplemental hairdressing/cosmetology antigen series are important in detecting all occupationally related allergens in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. erin.warshaw@va.gov
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Warshaw
authors.forename: Michael Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C G Toby
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Mathias
authors.forename: Howard I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Maibach
authors.forename: Donald V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Belsito
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Zug
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zirwas
authors.forename: Anthony F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Fransway
authors.forename: Vincent A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Deleo
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Melanie D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: Frances J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Storrs
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rietschel
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sasseville
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006202:Hair Dyes / Q000009:adverse effects; D006203:Hair Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D006202:Hair Dyes; D006203:Hair Preparations