Shipboard Contact Dermatitis: An Understudied and Impactful Cause of Occupational Contact Dermatitis

Occupational contact dermatitis represents a significant concern within the United States Navy. Specifically, contact dermatitis that develops in a shipboard environment represents a unique concern, often leading to unplanned personnel losses. By identifying substances responsible for allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, dermatologists, through performing expanded patch testing and making recommendations to military commanders, play an important role in managing these patients, via ordering expanded patch testing panels and making recommendations to workplace commanders. This article aims to highlight gaps in knowledge of epidemiology and occupational hygiene, as well as make specific recommendations for patch testing in Navy personnel who serve aboard ships.