Berufsbedingte Handekzeme — Ätiologie und Prävention

Abstract

Background Occupational dermatoses are the most frequent occupational diseases in Germany and amount to more than 25% of all suspected occupational diseases. Clinical manifestation and pathogenesis More than 90% of these dermatoses are hand eczema. It is usually caused by chronic irritation or contact allergens. Not infrequently, combinations of these pathogenic factors occur and, additionally, various manifestations of atopy may influence occupational eczema (“hybrid dermatoses”). Prevention Preventive measures have proven to be very effective in recent years, e. g. measures of secondary and tertiary prevention as components of a complex hierarchical prevention concept in wet-work occupations.