'Lambing ears': a blistering disorder affecting farmers at lambing time

Abstract

Background: At lambing time some farmers experience blistering and crusting of the pinnae. This occupational disease, termed 'lambing ears', does not feature in the medical literature.

Objectives: To define the condition and explore its pathogenesis.

Methods: We obtained five biopsies from affected individuals and sent questionnaires to 69 farmers in the U.K. Farming communities abroad were also contacted.

Results: The eruption lasts for the duration of the lambing practice. The histological features are dominated by a pandermal perivascular and diffuse, predominantly T-cell lymphocytic infiltrate. Only the pinnae are affected and its incidence is related to the degree of involvement a farmer has with the animals around parturition. The condition also occurs, but less frequently, in farmers who are calving.

Conclusions: This occupational disease occurs with close contact to lambing ewes or calving cows. The histology and distribution are comparable with the juvenile spring eruption variant of polymorphic light eruption, but its demographics are unique.