Factors influencing the occurrence of hand eczema in adults with a history of atopic dermatitis in childhood.

A series of 955 persons aged 24-44 years, with atopic dermatitis in childhood, were interviewed in order to identify factors which increase the risk of developing hand eczema in adult life, or aggravate already existing hand eczema. Endogenous (constitutional) factors were in general of greater importance than exogenous factors, viz. chemicals, water, soil and wear (friction). Eczematous involvement of the hands in childhood was of predominant importance. In individuals without such involvement, severe (widespread) dermatitis in childhood was a dominant factor. Other factors, each of them significantly more important than the exogenous ones, were persistent eczema on other parts of the body and dry/itchy skin. The factors female sex, family history of atopic dermatitis and simultaneous bronchial asthma/allergic rhinitis were associated with increased risk of developing hand eczema in adult life, but were of limited importance compared with the other endogenous and the exogenous factors.