Prognosis of occupational contact dermatitis in New South Wales, Australia

570 patients with occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) were seen between 1984 and 1990 at the Skin and Cancer Foundation in Sydney. 336 (59%) were followed up 1 to 5 years later. Roughly 1/3 were healed, 1/3 were improved without complete healing, 1/4 had no change and 1/12 of the patients had deteriorated. The overall improvement rate was in excess of 70%. Data derived from these patients demonstrated that changing the work duties of patients with OCD improved their outcome (p < 0.01), whilst leaving the industry altogether resulted in a greater overall healing rate (p < 0.01). No difference existed between the outcome of irritant contact dermatitis compared with allergic contact dermatitis. Atopics as expected had a worse prognosis. The outcome in the construction industry was significantly poorer than other industries. Patients suffering from allergic contact dermatitis from chromate also had a dismal prognosis.