Animals

Abstract

Direct or indirect skin contact with animals can occur in numerous occupations. Animal contact can cause allergic, irritant or toxic skin reactions, parasitic infestations, and zoonoses. Skin hazards, especially from insect, reptile, and marine life, differ greatly in different climatic areas. Most common animal-related occupational skin diseases in Northern Europe are mite infestations and allergic symptoms from domestic or laboratory animals. Individually tailored skin tests for both immediate and delayed allergy are needed in diagnosing animal protein allergy.