Prevalence of atopy in a population of hairdressing students and practising hairdressers in Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Hairdressers are one of the largest groups affected by occupational contact dermatitis. In this population-based study, 193 trainee hairdressers and 184 practising hairdressers each completed a questionnaire and had their hands examined. Participants were asked about past or present atopy including eczema, asthma or hayfever, which occurred in 59.2%, and were individually correlated with a history of occupational skin problems. Almost 60% of hairdressers and trainees had experienced changes on their hands since commencing hairdressing, while 29% had evidence of abnormal skin on examination on the day of participation. Atopic individuals, who plan to work in a career such as hairdressing with known high rates of occupational contact dermatitis, should be advised to care for and protect their skin from the outset to prevent the development of this condition. There has been little awareness of this issue in Australia, despite longstanding knowledge of the association of hairdressing and contact dermatitis.

Prevention of hand eczema among Danish hairdressing apprentices: an intervention study

“…The role of atopic dermatitis as a risk factor for developing hand eczema in high-risk occupations is debated5 10 but was found to be a risk factor in this study.…”

“…The incidence of hand eczema in the control group correlates well with the findings from other studies on occupational hand eczema among hairdressing apprentices. In several studies, the life-time prevalence of hand eczema in hairdressing apprentices has been estimated to be 27.2%–58% 4 5 50 51. In Germany, Uter et al found an incidence of hand eczema in a prospectively followed cohort of hairdressing apprentices of 43.3% over 3 years 9.…”

Individual Susceptibility to Occupational Contact Dermatitis

“…Later, the atopic skin diathesis was only accompanied by a slight, non-significant increase in risk 69) . Roberts et al 70) found an approximately two times higher incidence of skin problems in hairdressers with atopy. In that study, atopy was defined as a history of asthma or dermatitis or hayfever.…”

Hairdressers presenting to an occupational dermatology clinic in Melbourne, Australia

“…Contact dermatitis of the hands is a well‐recognized and frequently observed condition in the hairdressing industry (1), and a major cause of leaving the profession (2). A past or present history of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) has been reported in up to 50% of hairdressers (3–5). Prevention of dermatitis in hairdressers is difficult.…”