Epidemiological survey of occupational contact dermatitis of the hands in Belgium.

A total of 400 patients suffering from hand eczema were patch tested to 25 chemicals (20 from the standard series of the ICDRG plus five from the Tri-Contact of Belgium); 197 (49.2%) had a positive patch test to one or more substances, and there was no significant difference in the prevalence between males and females. Potassium dichromate and PPD mix were statistically more frequently involved as skin allergens in males than in females, whereas nickel sulphate, thiuram mix and neomycin sulphate gave a significantly higher number of positive responses in women than in men. Results of this epidemiological survey are discussed in the light of similar studies from the literature.