Evaluation of occupational dermatitis cases

Abstract

Background and Design: We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients who were referred and evaluated within 3 years with the preliminary diagnosis of occupational dermatitis and to share our clinical experience. Materials and Methods: A total of 23 cases with skin-related complaints were evaluated retrospectively between 2014 and 2017. Results: Of 459 patients with occupational disease, 23 (3.7%) were diagnosed with occupational dermatitis. Five were female and 18 were male. The mean age of the patients was 39±6.61. Twelve of 23 patients with positive patch test were diagnosed as allergic contact dermatitis, four as irritant contact dermatitis, six as other dermatological diagnoses (psoriasis vulgaris, vitiligo, dermal mucinosis and chronic urticaria). Due to the loss of communication in one case, no specific patch test could be performed for the occupational factors. Conclusion: Although occupational dermatitis is common among occupational diseases, the diagnosis rate is very low in our country. The specific patch test is important in the differential diagnosis.