Occupational contact dermatitis: Retrospective analysis of North American Contact Dermatitis Group Data, 2001 to 2016.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Patch testing is an important diagnostic tool for suspected allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in occupational settings.

OBJECTIVE:

Provide an overview of occupational skin disease (OSD) and an analysis of occupational ACD in North American patients undergoing patch testing between 2001and 2016.

METHODS:

Patients with OSD were analyzed for frequency of allergic reactions to a screening series of allergens, occupational relevance, location of skin disease, and exposure sources. Demographic, occupation, and industry information were recorded.

RESULTS:

Of 38,614 patients evaluated, 4471 (11.6%) had OSD, of whom 3150 (70.5%) had ACD. The most common occupationally related allergens included rubber accelerators, preservatives, and bisphenol A epoxy resin. Hands (75.8%), arms (30.0%), and face (15.9%) were common sites of dermatitis. The occupations most affected were service workers and machine operators.

LIMITATIONS:

Our cohort may not reflect the general working population.

CONCLUSION:

This study identified common occupational allergens, exposure sources, and occupations/industries at risk. This information may help the clinician evaluate and manage patients with occupational contact dermatitis.

• Authors: Joel G DeKoven, Benjamin M DeKoven, Erin M Warshaw, C G T Mathias, James S Taylor, Denis Sasseville, Donald V Belsito, Joseph F Fowler Jr, Melanie D Pratt, Kathryn A Zug, Howard I Maibach, Vincent A DeLeo, Jonathan I Silverberg, Amber R Atwater, Margo J Reeder, D Linn Holness
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 86 Issue 4 Pg. 782-790 (04 2022) ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33753252 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Allergens

Topics

• Allergens (adverse effects)
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology)
• Dermatitis, Irritant (diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology)
• Dermatitis, Occupational (diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology)
• Humans
• North America (epidemiology)
• Patch Tests
• Retrospective Studies