Atj. Goon et Cl. Goh, Occupational skin diseases in national servicemen and military personnel in Singapore, 1989-1999., CONTACT DER, 44(2), 2001, pp. 89-90
This is a study of occupational skin disease among military personnel and c
onscripts in Singapore. All military personnel and conscripts diagnosed wit
h occupational dermatoses in the National Skin Centre, Singapore, between 1
989-1999 were studied retrospectively. Conscripts and regulars comprised 7.
3% of all occupational skin disease patients seen. All were male, with a me
an age of 23 years. Irritant contact dermatitis was more common than allerg
ic contact dermatitis, by 4.4:1. The most common vocations associated with
occupational skin diseases are those involving vehicle repairs and maintena
nce (48%) and food handling (19%). The most common irritants were oil/greas
e (66%), wet work (23%) and solvents (18%). The most common allergens were
food (40%) and chromates (20%). Military personnel and conscripts make up a
significant proportion of occupational skin disease patients seen in Singa
pore.