Dermatoses among housekeeping personnel.

BACKGROUND

Housekeepers are exposed to irritants and allergens in their work and are at significant risk for developing occupationally induced contact dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE

We studied housekeepers at the Hershey Medical Center to determine the cause and frequency of contact dermatitis and contact urticaria in these workers.

METHODS

All housekeepers were examined. Those with hand dermatitis had an extensive history, patch testing, and latex RAST testing.

RESULTS

Eight of 130 had hand dermatitis. None had a relevant positive patch test or positive RAST test.

CONCLUSIONS

Of our housekeepers, 6.2% had occupationally induced irritant contact dermatitis. None had allergic contact dermatitis or contact urticaria to latex.