DERMATITIS IN HAIRDRESSERS .2. MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION

Hand dermatitis in hairdressers is caused by a variety of factors. Imp ortant are the sensitizing and irritant capacities of some hair-cosmet ic ingredients. unsafe packaging which causes contamination of the han ds, work tables and instruments with hazardous chemicals, absence of p rotection with adequate gloves and ignorance of safe handling of these chemicals. A strategy is proposed, based on improvement of the safety of ingredients and packaging, use of vinyl gloves and introduction of safe hairdressing procedures. Introduction of this strategy in hairdr essing salons with 16 cases of moderate to severe contact dermatitis r educed the number of cases of active dermatitis to 3 in 4 months. The value of pre-employment screening is discussed and the necessity of co operation of centers of occupational dermatology is emphasized.