Self-reported hand dermatitis in California veterinarians.

BACKGROUND

Veterinarians are exposed to allergens, dirt, and chemicals, but there are very few epidemiologic data on dermatoses veterinarians.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to get information about skin diseases in veterinary work.

METHODS

A sample of California veterinarians were sent a questionnaire, which was returned by 73% (n = 1,416).

RESULTS

History of skin atopy was reported by 11% and respiratory atopy by 63%. Dermatoses during their career were reported by 46%, and hand and/or forearm dermatitis was reported more than once and during the past year by 22% of women and 10% of men. Dermatitis with work-related exacerbating factors was reported by 28%. Almost 1 of 5 veterinarians reported animal-related skin symptoms. Other aggravators were medications (2%), gloves (4%), and other chemicals (7% of respondents). Of those with animal-related dermatitis, 65% reported only 1 animal (dog, 66%; cat, 29%; horse, 9%; and cattle, 8%), and 66% reported the symptoms appeared in minutes after the contact. In logistic analysis, the risk factors for the appearance of hand/forearm dermatitis during the past 12 months and more than once during their career, were: history of skin atopy (odds ratio, 3.5), childhood hand dermatitis (odds ratio, 3.4), history of respiratory atopy (odds ratio, 2.0), and female sex (odds ratio, 1.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Veterinarians' skin symptoms were common and often caused by immediate allergy to 1 or few animal species.