Nickel allergy and atopy in hairdressers

A study of 35 hairdressers with hand eczema was made during an 18-month period. A total of 29 were test-positive to one or more substances in the standard series and/or to products from their working environment. 40% were allergic to nickel. The prevalence of personal atopy was higher in the nickel-negative than in the nickel-positive. Immunoglobulin E determination was not of assistance in attempts to differentiate between nickel-positive and nickel-negative hairdressers. In 72% the eczema had started before the age of 25 and in 23% after less than 1 year in the profession. The desire is expressed that all hairdressing products shall be labelled in respect to allergen contents, since 46% of the hairdressers reacted to one or more such agents.