In 481 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), 4 major features of Hanifin and Rajka were found in 72%, and in 96% over 6 minor features were seen, which is much more than the minimum required by these authors for making a ‘firm diagnosis’. The incidence of particular minor features in all patients was varying significantly, and in subgroups of patients they appeared with different frequency. For example, asthma occurred more often in AD patients with the onset of skin lesions before the 6th month of life, and food intolerance was more frequently observed in patients with very high serum IgE level. In the control groups some minor features also occur but less frequently than in AD patients. We conclude that the anterior neck folds and Dennie-Morgan infraorbital fold should be regarded as minor AD features.

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In this study, 333 nurses, 92 dentists and 167 doctors were investigated. Most positive patch tests obtained were unrelated to occupation. Nurses were most often sensitized to penicillins and, of the disinfectants, formaldehyde was the commonest cause of occupational dermatitis. Among dentists, the most common occupational allergens were eugenol and mercuric chloride. Among surgeons, as compared with physicians, there were frequent reactions to mercuric chloride and balsam of Peru, and a higher number of positive patch tests with other contactants. Among those sensitized to chromium, 4 doctors found that contact with chromic catgut was harmful. 6 other doctors were intolerant to surgical gloves. A number of nurses and doctors had an irritant contact dermatitis from chlorhexidine.

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