Hand Dermatitis among Hairdressers
G. Arcangeli*, M. Montalti, P.P. Boccalon, L. Guarducci, M. Fioriti, V. Cupelli
University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Background
Contact dermatitis among hairdressers is common and is one of the most frequent occupational dematoses. Continual exposure to water, detergents, hair dyes, permanent wave solutions and metal equipment are the most important factors leading to chronic hand dermatitis.
Methods
246 apprentice hairdressers (219 females and 27 males), examined over a period of four years, were included into the study. All the subjects are examined as follow: physical examination, patch tests (European Series modified.); a specific questionnaire was used to collect information on dermatologic and allergic symptoms. The average age of the females is 17.2±1.9 years and that of males’ 17.4±1.9 years. A personal history of atopy was present in 21 subjects (8.5%), while 20 (8.1%) have a positive familiar history for atopy and 8 (3.3%) have both conditions. Only 25 subjects (10.2%) had no clinical manifestation at the time of the physical examination, the others presented eczema on their hands.
Results
The patch test was negative in 104 hairdressers (42.3%) and positive in 142 (57.7%).Nickel sulphate is the most sensitising agent with a positive reaction in 45.5% followed by cobalt chloride (19.2%), thimerosal (9.9%), 4 phenylenediamine (8.5%).
A complete list of positive allergens reactions is recorded in the Table.
Females had more positive reactions than males (62.1% vs 22.2%). No differences were observed in groups with positive familiar history for atopy and those with negative one (45% vs 45.5%). Hairdressers with a personal history for atopy had a positive patch test reaction in 66.7% of cases vs. 45.5% of the total population. Subjects with clinical manifestations at the time of the physical examination had no different incidence of positive reactions in the patch test in comparison to hairdressers with no clinical manifestations (56.1% in the first group vs 56% in the others).
Conclusions
1- Nickel is the most frequent sensitizing agent in hairdressers’ work
2- The positive per cent reaction to nickel in the studied population is significantly higher than in normal, however the subjects included in the study generally came under observation as a results of dermatological manifestations
3- Positive per cent reactions are significantly higher in females than in males
4- 8,5% of the hairdresser apprentices are sensitised to p-phenylenediamine
5- The data obtained confirm the need for the use of protective gloves during working activities
Table. List of allergens with almost a positive reaction. |
Allergens |
Percentages of positive reaction |
Nickel Sulphate |
45.5 |
Cobalt Chloride |
19.2 |
Thimerosal |
9.9 |
4-Phenylene-Diamine Base |
8.5 |
Disperse Blue |
4.0 |
Mercury Ammonium Chloride |
3.1 |
Neomcin Sulphate |
2.0 |
Ethylene Diamine Dihydrochloride |
2.0 |
4-Tert-Butylphnol Formaldehyde Resin |
1.6 |
Paraben Mix |
1.2 |
4,4-Diaminodiphenyl-Methane |
1.2 |
Potassium Dichromate |
0.8 |
Disperse Yellow |
0.8 |
Benzocaine |
0.8 |
Fragance Mix |
0.8 |
Balsam Peru |
0.4 |
Carba Mix |
0.4 |
MBT Mix |
0.4 |
Content last modified: 22 May 2005
