Epidemiology of Dermatitis among California Farm Workers

Self‐reported dermatitis and skin cancer in California farm operators

“…Those reporting respiratory atopy, especially among women, also reported dermatitis more often than those without respiratory atopy. This is consistent with several other studies [Nilsson, 1986;Meding and Swanbeck, 1990;Gamsky et al, 1992;Kristensen, 1992;Susitaival et al, 1994]. The total impact of atopy on the dermatitis cases of this survey cannot be estimated without information on skin atopy (childhood or atopic eczema), a major risk factor for hand dermatitis [Rystedt, 1985;Nilsson, 1986;Meding and Swanbeck, 1990;Kristensen, 1992;Susitaival et al, 1994;Nilsson and Knutsson, 1995].…”

“…The skin condition was ultimately defined as ''any red inflamed skin rash,'' here called dermatitis, which allows respondents to include a wide variety of conditions from actual dermatitis (eczema) to acne and skin infections. The prevalence of reported dermatitis was lower among males than among females, corresponding to two other farm work associated studies [Gamsky et al, 1992;Susitaival et al, 1994]. The prevalence was lower than the 12-month prevalence of 'dermatoses' reported by Finnish farmers in 1979 [Susitaival et al, 1994].…”

“…In a population of California tomato-, grape-, and citrus-workers, the overall reported prevalence of skin rash during the last 12 months was 12% [Gamsky et al, 1992], and the reported prevalence was highest in the grape workers. Skin rashes or irritation within the past 3 months were more often reported by California grape (52%) than tomato (19%) workers, but the prevalence of eczematous skin conditions on physical examination (10%) was similar in the groups [McCurdy et al, 1989].…”

Delivery of Health Services to Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

“…The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that crop production workers have the highest incidence of skin diseases of any industrial classification (31.0/10,000 workers) (17). The few studies among migrant and seasonal farmworkers have found that up to 46% of workers report rashes, depending on time of the season and crops (6,40,65).…”

Skin symptoms and work‐related skin symptoms among grape farmers in Crete, Greece

“…Inorganic/ organic dust, plant materials, animal dander, pesticides, and agricultural chemicals, especially under regular exposure, are capable of causing different types of occupational skin disease such as contact dermatitis (both allergic and irritant), contact urticaria, and atopic dermatitis (eczema) McCurdy et al, 1989;Gamsky et al, 1992;Guo et al, 1996;Cole et al, 1997;Spiewak, 1999].…”