A study of occupational skin disease in the metal industry (1986-1990).

A retrospective study of the epidemiology of occupational skin disease among metal workers showed that irritant contact dermatitis (75%) prevailed over allergic contact dermatitis. Most workers belonged to the age group 20 to 29 years. There was a slight preponderance of Malays and Indians compared to the working population of Singapore. Most presented for treatment within 10 days of their dermatitis. Ninety-five percent presented with dermatitis on the hands and arms. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of atopy between workers with irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. In most cases of allergic contact dermatitis from cutting fluid, the causative allergen in the cutting fluid cannot be identified.