An epidemiological study of hand eczema. V. Prevalence among hairdresser trainees, compared with a general population of hairdressers.

The aim of this study was to show degree and pattern of hand eczema in affected hairdresser trainees (n = 52), compared with a general population of affected hairdressers (n = 69). The mean ages were 18 years (range: 16-25) for the trainees and 27 years (range: 17-63) for the hairdressers. For the latter group, the mean number of months spent in profession was 96 (range: 2-552) and the number of working hours per week was 36 (range: 4-50). Twenty-seven per cent of all trainees (67/246) were reported to have had initial of eczematous lesions on the hands and/or forearms during their apprenticeship. The extent of skin affection, as assessed by scores for localization and distribution of eczema, was significantly lower in trainees, compared with the general population of hairdressers. Patch test revealed sensitization to nickel to be prominent in both groups; 34% among affected hairdressers and 26% among affected and non-affected trainees. Of the hairdressers, 3% had allergy to hair dye (2.5-toluenediamine), while 8% were sensitized to glyceryl monothioglycolate. None of the trainees were sensitized to those two chemicals.