Occupational skin diseases: actual state analysis of patient management pathways in 28 European countries.

Background: Work-related skin diseases (WSD) are caused or worsened by a professional activity. Occupational skin diseases (OSD) need to fulfil additional legal criteria which differ from country to country. OSD range amongst the five most frequently notified occupational diseases (musculoskeletal diseases, neurologic diseases, lung diseases, diseases of the sensory organs, skin diseases) in Europe.

Minimum standards on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of occupational and work-related skin diseases in Europe - position paper of the COST Action StanDerm (TD 1206).

Background: Skin diseases constitute up to 40% of all notified occupational diseases in most European countries, predominantly comprising contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, and skin cancer. While insufficient prevention of work-related skin diseases (WRSD) is a top-priority problem in Europe, common standards for prevention of these conditions are lacking.

Objective: To develop common European standards on prevention and management of WRSD and occupational skin diseases (OSD).

The dramatic increase in the rate of methylisothiazolinone contact allergy in Belgium: a multicentre study.

Background: The rate of contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis caused by methylisothiazolinone (MI) is dramatically increasing throughout Europe.

Objectives: To report on methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/MI and MI allergy in Belgium.

Patients And Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2012, the medical charts of 6599 patients of the Belgian Contact and Environmental Dermatitis Group were retrospectively reviewed for MCI/MI and MI sensitization by use of a standardized questionnaire.

Occupational airborne contact dermatitis from benzodiazepines and other drugs.

Background: Healthcare workers (or relatives) crushing drug tablets for patients with difficulties in swallowing are at risk of developing sensitization via airborne exposure. Tetrazepam, in particular, is increasingly being described as an important occupational allergen in this regard, although other drugs are also involved.

Objectives: To identify the allergenic culprits in 4 patients, namely 2 nurses, 1 pharmacy assistant, and 1 spouse, who all regularly crushed tablets of systemic drugs and presented with severe airborne dermatitis.