Occupational dermatoses in nursery workers.

BACKGROUND

Several workers at a nursery complained of skin problems. An occupational allergic contact dermatitis from tulip was diagnosed in 2 of the workers.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to survey the frequency of occupational dermatoses among nursery workers and to investigate whether the tulip sensitizer alpha-methylene-chi-butyrolactone traces all contact allergy to tulip.

METHODS

A questionnaire was delivered to 41 employees, and everyone with a present or previous skin disease was offered a consultation including patch testing with the known tulip sensitizer as well as two types of tulip extracts and parts of the plant.

RESULTS

Occupational dermatoses were diagnosed in 11 workers, allergic contact dermatitis in 9 workers (tulip and/or daffodil), and irritant contact dermatitis in 2 workers.

CONCLUSIONS

Occupational dermatoses are common among nursery workers. All workers with contact allergy to tulip was traced by alpha-methylene-chi-butyrolactone.