Skin Characteristics of Hairdresser Apprentices at the Beginning of Vocational Training.

Background: Hairdresser apprentices (HAs) are at high risk of developing occupational contact dermatitis.

Objectives: To assess skin characteristics of HAs, using genotyping, clinically observed and self-reported skin symptoms, and skin bioengineering methods at the beginning of apprenticeship.

Methods: During the screening phase of a prospective cohort study, we recruited 352 HAs in 24 Croatian towns. The protocol included the following: questionnaires with self-reported skin and atopy symptoms evaluation, Osnabrueck Hand Eczema Severity Index (OHSI) for clinical skin assessment, genotyping FLG (filaggrin) gene mutations, skin pH, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements.

Results: Self-reported skin symptoms were reported by 12%, history of dry hands by 29%, and history of atopy by 46% of HAs. Skin changes were found at the clinical examination in 18% of the HA. The OHSI score was positively correlated with hand TEWL and hand skin pH in multiple regression linear models. An FLG gene mutation was found in 1 apprentice.

Conclusions: Significant prevalence of clinically observed skin signs on the hands was observed in HAs at the beginning of training. The OHSI score was found to be an independent predictor of higher hand TEWL and skin pH values. The need to ameliorate preventive examinations before the enrolment to hairdressing schools was indicated.