Allergic contact dermatitis in veterinary surgeons.

Thirty-six of 37 veterinary surgeons with incapacitating dermatitis had allergic contact dermatitis, mainly from antibiotics such as spiramycin, Penethamate BP and tylosin. Eight were sensitive to rubber materials. Twenty of 36 had positive prick or scratch tests, mainly to animal hair. The atopic sensitivities were relevant to the contact dermatitis since most of those who have them develop contact reactions from cows' hair and from obstetric work with cows. Protein contact dermatitis seems to be an important predisposing factor for the development of incapacitating allergic contact dermatitis in veterinary surgeons.