Prognosis of occupational contact dermatitis

Abstract

Factors that may affect the prognosis of occupational contact dermatitis include atopy, job change, the age of the patient, the nature of irritants and allergens, and the nature of the occupation. Epidemiology studies in the 1970s and 1980s generally reported the persistence of dermatitis among patients who develop occupational contact dermatitis, but recent reports appear to indicate that the prognosis is better than previously thought. Most studies indicated that there is no significant sex difference in the prognosis of occupational contact dermatitis. Patients younger than 25 years fared clearly better than older groups. Most reports indicate that irritant contact dermatitis tends to have a poorer prognosis than allergic contact dermatitis. Some occupational irritants for example, cutting fluids are more likely to lead to chronicity than others. Workers who change their job tend to have better outcomes than those who do not change jobs. A personal history of atopy appears to have poorer prognosis. The causes of chronicity from occupational contact dermatitis are usually multifactorial.