Association between occupation and contact allergy to the fragrance mix: amultifactorial analysis of national surveillance data

Objectives-To assess the role of potential (occupational) risk factors for fragrance contact allergy (FCA). Most studies assessing the range of contac t sensitisation in various clinical populations found the fragrance mix, a good screening tool for the detection of FCA in general, to be one of the l eading allergens. The role of occupational exposure to fragrances is, howev er, yet unclear. Methods-Firstly, crude analyses of the prevalence of FCA in various occupat ional fields including all 57 779 patients patch tested in the participatin g centres of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) b etween January 1992 and December 1998. Secondly, a multifactorial Poisson r egression analysis of these patients, including several potential risk fact ors. Results-(a) The proportion of patients with FCA varied greatly between diff erent occupational groups from 2.5% to 17.4%, (b) the highest occupational risk of FCA was associated with work as a masseur or physiotherapist, metal furnace operator, potter or glass maker etc, or geriatric nurse, (c) non-o ccupational factors that influenced risk of FCA included atopy, female sex, several sites, in particular the axillae, and increasing age. Conclusions-Occupations with a high risk of FCA were identified as targets of preventive action-that is, the substitution of scented products with fra grance free materials with which to work (skin disinfectants, cleaning solu tions, personal care products) wherever possible.