Dermatological problems in the work environment following childhood skin diseases

Dermatoses belong to the most frequent occupational diseases. Many of them have an early onset. The dermatoses which appear in early childhood or in adolescence often heal early. However, there are also many patients who continue to have recurrences and exacerbations of their dermatoses into adult life, which is important to know in connection with choice of occupation and occupational health. Occupational problems in patients with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, allergic contact dermatitis, polymorphus light eruption and acne vulgaris are discussed. Some of the results from a follow-up of 549 individuals who were treated as inpatients at the Dermatological Clinic, Karolinska sjukhuset, Stockholm, in 1952-1956 under a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, prurigo Besnier or infantile eczema are presented, with emphasis on occupational problems.