[Preventing skin damage in beauticians].

The incidence of occupational dermatitis of the hands is particularly high in the hairdressing trade. To elucidate the role of various risk factors, and to ultimately improve primary prevention of occupational hand dermatitis, a prospective cohort study was conducted between 1992 and 1997, including 2352 hairdressing trainees. Already six weeks after the start of training (median) 35.4% had--usually mild--irritant skin changes, mainly involving the interdigital web spaces. These were associated with subsequent, possibly more severe, hand dermatitis. Reduced exposure to wet work, i.e., improved skin protection with gloves, often led to the resolution of dermatitis of the hands. In conclusion, early irritant skin damage is a sentinel event that heralds possibly disabling occupational skin disease and should prompt adequate preventive measures.