Hand dermatitis in haridressers

Most junior hairdressers, while shampooing, develop a dry irritant dermatitis over the metacarpophalangeal joints. It responds to simple treatment and disappears when the shampooing stage is passed. A few hairdressers develop eczema of the fingers: the response to treatment is less predictable and the prognosis is worse. In those who give up hairdressing the eczema generally improves or heals, in those who continue hairdressing the eczema is likely to persist, especially in atopics.