Study of cement dermatitis and other occupational dermatoses among workers in the building trades of Egypt

ABSTRACT

This study was performed on 938 workers involved in building construction and 220 control subjects. Each subject was interviewed for personal, family and medical histories and subjected to dermatological examination and patch testing with potassium dichromate. Most of the occupational dermatoses prevailed at considerably higher rates than in other countries that was attributed to the manual nature of the building construction in Egypt. However, cement eczema occurred at a considerably lower rate [1.8%] that was partially related to racial factors and to the mulatto colour of the Egyptians. The past history of allergy, the poor hygienic conditions and the hot climate were found to be important predisposing factors. A close association between chromium hyper sensitivity and cement eczema was demonstrated that is affected by the sweating condition, the atopic background and the use of chrome-tanned foot-wear