Syed Muhammad Shamim, Kishwar Sultana.
Contact Dermatitis-A growing but preventable problem.
J Pak Assoc Derma Jan ;8(4):4-10.

Incidence of contact dermatitis is increasing on the globe. It is the most common job related disease: of the western world causing potential losses through absenteeism from the work and loss of productivity. In Pakistan modernization industrialization and urbanization are mainly responsible for the enormous increase in the number of reported cases. To determine the incidence of contact dermatitis in a defined population and to identify the various etiological factors responsible for its causation. 830 individuals of both sexes aged 1 year to 65 years presenting to Dermatology Clinic of an organizational hospital in Karachi, with various cutaneous problems, were investigated to sort out the magnitude; of contact dermatitis, Two hundred & ten individuals (25.3%) were found to suffer from contact dermatitis. Children constituted 7.61% of them while 92.38% were adults. Females (67.61%) had great preponderance over males (32.38%) Maximum cases were in the age group of 15-45 years in both sexes with male female ratio 1:2. In females the major offending agents were cosmetics kitchen condiments, artificial jewelry and footwear while the uncommon causes were contact with edibles (tomatoes, onions), nickel (brassiere clips), traditional hair dyes (henna), traditional facial massage (glycerin with lemon juice). In children tooth powder, mustard oil (used for body massage) and kerosene oil (used as Antilouse), though comparatively uncommon created significant problem. In male adults job related contact dermatitis was more common. The severity in some cases was sufficient enough to warrant change of work place environments of life styles. Although effective treatment of contact dermatitis remains a major challenge. It is to great extent preventable. To achieve the goal there is need for extensive epidemiological s[udies to be conducted, intervention program outlined and management strategies defined.

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