Occupational dermatitis in a hairdresser

doi:10.1136/bmj.39252.524317.94

BMJ 2007;335:399 (25 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.39252.524317.94

Practice

10-minute consultation

Occupational dermatitis in a hairdresser

Allison Worth, research fellow¹, S Hasan Arshad, reader in allergy², Aziz Sheikh, professor of primary care research and development¹

¹ Allergy and Respiratory Research Group, Division of Community Health Sciences: GP Section, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9DX, ² Infection, Inflammation and Repair Research Division, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton

Correspondence to: A Sheikh Aziz.Sheikh@ed.ac.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

A 25 year old hairdresser complains of a rash on her hands.She thinks she might be allergic to the solutions she uses atwork.

What issues you should cover

Defining the problem—Up to 50% of hairdressers developdermatitis of the hand within three years of starting work,usually either irritant contact dermatitis resulting from chemicaldamage or allergic contact dermatitis from a delayed (type IV)hypersensitivity reaction. Distinguishing between these is difficulton clinical grounds but is important because of a worse prognosisin the allergic form if exposure to the allergen is not eliminated.

How is the problem affecting her?—Her symptoms may beaffecting her day to day life. She may be distressed and embarrassedand may fear for future employment prospects.

Take a detailed occupational history—Has she had skinproblems before? Symptoms that develop after a new job is startedor that improve when she is away from work . . . [Full text of this article]

Useful resources for doctors and patients

What you should do

Examination
Referral for a patch test
Avoiding the chemicals
Treatment
Information and support

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

What about "wet work"?: Dil Sen, et al.
bmj.com, 28 Aug 2007 [Full text]
Occupational Dermatitis response: Raymond Agius
bmj.com, 12 Sep 2007 [Full text]