ABSTRACT
As part of our investigation into the allergic conditions that frequently plague farmers, we have conducted surveys on the prevalence of the skin disease which erupts probably as a result of allergic reaction. The findings are as follows:<BR>1. Of the outpatients, 7.29% were suffering from contact dermatitis. Among the causarive agents closely related with agriculture were pesticides, chrysanthemums, lettuces, Primula obconica, melberries, rice plants, fertilizers, quicklime, celery, parsley etc. These were responsible for 17.2% of the cases of contact dermatitis.<BR>2 Pesticide-induced dermatitis was found in 0.41% of the outpatients and 5.64% of the cntact dermatitis cases. Among the major offending pesticides were Des (DDVP), Difar (Zineb), Lannate (Mesomil), Maneb Dithane (Maneb) and Salithion.<BR>3. The skin disease that seems to have occurred due to the exposure to sunlight accounted for 1.41% of the outpatients. Five of the dermatitis patients were victims of both sunlight and pesticides.<BR>4. A patch test showed that Daconil, Difolatan and Altanon cause a strong, primary irritation, but their sensitizing effect is moderate when compared with Triazine and DDVP. The test also indicated that Topsin-M (Thiophanate), Salithion, Diazinon, Maneb Dithane and Dithane Stenless (Amobam) more or less render individuals sensitive.<BR>5. A physical examination of farmers engaged in pesticide spraying revealed that 27.9% of the examinees have early signs of dermatitis on the back of their hands.<BR>6. A follow-up survey of the patch test participants showed that most of them do not take proper measures against dermatitis caused by pesticides.
