Description
Hairdressers have a high incidence of hand dermatitis, mainly irritant contact dermatitis caused by water, shampoo, and other chemicals. Glyceryl thioglycolate is a strong sensitizer; its use in permanent wave solutions was discontinued in Germany. Ammonium thioglycolate, also used in permanent wave solution, is a weak sensitizer. Dyes that cause allergic contact dermatitis include: p-phenylene diamine; 2,4-diaminotoluene; 2-nitro-4-phenylene diamine; 2-aminophenol; 4-aminophenol; 4-aminodiphenylamine; resorcinol; and henna. Other sensitizing agents include ammonium persulfate (bleaching), cocamidopropyl betain (shampooing), formaldehyde, preservatives, latex, thiuram compounds, nickel, and human dander. [Kanerva, p. 965] Of 47 hairdressers referred for evaluation of asthma, occupational asthma was diagnosed in 24 due to persulfate salts (21), permanent hair dyes (2), and latex (1).Two patients had occupational rhinitis secondary to p-phenylenediamine. [PMID: 16304318]