[Results of patch test in hairdressers examined in the institute of occupational medicine in Łódź]

Abstract

Background: Occupational contact dermatitis is a significant health problem in hairdressers. The number of occupational skin diseases in this group constantly increases. The most frequent factors contributing to the skin damage include water, shampoos, detergents, conditioners, hair dyes, bleaches, permanent wave solutions, and components of gloves.

Material and methods: A group of 121 hairdressers (106 women and 6 men) was selected from 4523 patients (2996 women and 1527 men) referred to the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, in 1995-2008, with suspected occupational skin disease. All hairdressers underwent dermatological examination and allergy tests (patch tests with allergens of the European Standard Series and Hairdressing Series, Chemotechnique Diagnostics, Sweden; skin prick tests, Allergopharma, Germany).

Results and conclusions: Females were more prevalent than males and constituted 94.6% of the study group. Of all the study participants, 30% were trainee hairdressers. At least one positive patch test reaction was found in 69.7% of patients whereas in 30.3% patch tests were negative. The most frequent contact allergens were: nickel sulfate (40% of females), p-phenylenediamine (one fourth of the study group), ammonium persulfate (23.2%), cobalt chloride (21.4%), 2,5-diaminotoluene sulfate (9.8%), formaldehyde (9.8%), ammonium thioglycolate (7.1%), and glyceryl monothioglycolate (7.1%). Moreover, we found positive patch test reactions to thimerosal (14.3%), palladium chloride (11.6%), potassium dichromate (5.3%) and fragrance mix (4.5%). Altogether, occupational origin of skin disease was confirmed in 46.4% of hairdressers with allergic contact dermatitis, in 48.2% of those diagnosed with irritant contact dermatitis and in 0.9% of hairdressers suffering from urticaria. 71% of trainee hairdressers were finally diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis, caused first of all by ammonium persulfate, p-phenylenediamine, nickel and thimerosal. In conclusion, it seems to be indispensable to implement health education program during vocational training of hairdressers and to promote specific preventive measures in this occupational group.