An epidemiological study of hand eczema. I. Prevalence and cumulative prevalence among hairdressers compared with a control group of teachers.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of dermatitis of the hands and/or forearms among hairdressers compared with a control group of elementary school teachers. Questionnaires were sent to 818 hairdressers and 816 teachers. The response rates were 83% and 65%, respectively. The mean age for those completing the questionnaire, was 28 years (range: 17-71) for the hairdressers and 45 years (range: 20-70) for the teachers. The mean number of months employed in these occupations was 105 (range: 1-672) and 186 (range: 0-516), respectively. Forty-two per cent of the hairdressers and 23% of the teachers suffered or had been suffering from exanthema of the hands and/or forearms. Sixty-one and 15%, respectively, related the skin disease to work.