DEVELOPMENT OF SKIN DAMAGE DURING VOCATIO NAL-TRAINING IN OCCUPATIONSWITH SKIN HAZARDS

Hairdressing (n = 169) and nursing apprentices (n = 255) have been inc luded in a prospective follow-up study in the region of East Thuringia . Starting in 8/92, the apprentices have been interviewed and examined in a standardized way right at the beginning of their vocational trai ning; after half a year (hairdressers) or one year (nurses), respectiv ely, and, eventually, before graduation. In their case histories 6.7% (n = 17) of the nursing and 1.8% (n = 3) of the hairdressing apprentic es reported of hand eczema. The first follow-up assessment revealed ha nd eczema in 15.3% (n = 34) of the nursing and in 17.8% (n = 30) of th e hairdressing apprentices. The final examination after 3 Gears traini ng gave evidence for a slight reduction in the frequency of hand eczem a for both jobs. Although the majority of the trainers used skin care products and protective gloves on a regular base, skin damage was comm on. Atopic skin diathesis (> 10 points of Diepgen's atopy score) was i dentified to be a predictive risk factor for the development of occupa tion related skin problems. However, this could nor be found for respi ratory atopy and metal sensitization.