An epidemiological study of hand eczema. IV. Degree and pattern of eczema in affected hairdressers, with and without atopic symptoms, compared with a control group of affected teachers.

The aim of this study was to show degree and pattern of hand eczema in affected hairdressers (n = 69), compared with a control group of teachers (n = 19). Both groups consisted of employees having eczema, confirmed by the visit of a doctor at the working place. The mean age for the affected hairdressers was 27 years (range: 17-63) and for the teachers 43 years (range: 27-57). The mean duration of employment was 96 months for the hairdressers (range: 2-552) and 182 months for the teachers (range: 25-336). The localization of eczematous lesions, presence of efflorescenses and extent of skin affection were recorded by constructing scores for these variables. The mean number of localizations was significantly higher in hairdressers than in teachers; this was caused by greater affection of fingers in hairdressers compared to teachers. Seventy-five percent of the hairdressers and 79% of the teachers had only modest or very moderate erythema. Fourteen percent and 5%, respectively, had vesicular dermatitis. The right upper limb was most affected in both hairdressers and teachers. Three subgroups of hairdressers were considered: hairdressers with atopic dermatitis, those with only atopic mucosal symptoms and those without atopic symptoms. No significant differences were found between these groups, except a significant higher finger involvement in atopics compared to non-atopics.