Development of hand eczema in hairdressers, 8 to 10 years after the start of training - A follow-up study of "POSH-Studie" participants [Die entwicklung des hautzustands innerhalb der ersten 8-10 berufsjahre als friseur: Ergebnisse einer nachbefragung von teilnehmern der "POSH- Studie"]

Abstract

Background: The risk ot developing occupational skin diseases in the hairdressing trade is very high especially during apprenticeship. This was documented by the Prevention-of-Occupational-Skin-diseases-in-Hairdressers(POSH) -Study performed between 1992 and 1997 with initially 2,352 hairdresser apprentices. In the course of this study the apprentices were interviewed and examined at the start of their training and follow-up examinations continued until the end of the apprenticeship, when 1,134 apprentices could be examined. In the POSH-cohort the prevalence of skin disorders was 55.1% after 3 years of training. Methods: The present study was carried out between October 2002 and April 2003; the goal was to document the long-term dynamics of occupational skin diseases. For this purpose questionnaires were sent to 1,116 of the 1,134 finalists of the POSH-study. The response rate was 23.9% (n = 271). Results: 51 (19%) of 271 participants reported acute skin problems, 89 (32.8%) developed skin problems after the completion of their training. The presence of skin changes was significantly higher in participants with previous flexural dermatitis. 29 participants without skin changes upon final examination developed later, for the first time, skin problems. In the current study cohort an improvement in the number of hairdressers who used adequate skin protection at work was noted: 39.4% currently used gloves during hair washing (formerly: 23.9%). Nevertheless 84 (31%) had given up hairdressing in the meantime, however only 19 (22.6%) of 84 because of occupational skin diseases. Conclusion: Response was limited, as could be expected in this setting. Hence, selection bias cannot be ruled out. Notwithstanding this, the study shows that in the hairdressing trade occupational skin diseases continue to prevail after the completion of the apprenticeship with a relatively high prevalence; constitutional factors (atopy) are of importance. © 2006 Dustri-Verlag Dr. Karl Feistle.