A 10-year review of an industrial dermatitis clinic

During a 10-year period, 678 patients were seen at an occupational dermatitis clinic attached to a District General Hospital. Of these, 424 were accepted as having an occupational dermatosis. The pattern of skin lesions and the patch test findings were those associated with a diversified light industrial setting coupled with a large traditional furniture industry. Fifty-one per cent of all cases were regarded as being allergic but the proportion varied greatly from one industry to another. Positive patch tests were obtained to the Standard European Series in 50.3% but additional tests increased this to 64%. In the furniture industry most of the positive reactions occurred only with such additional tests. The significance of the patch test reactions is discussed in relation to the findings in 992 unselected patients seen in the contact dermatitis clinic during a 3-year period.