[Persistent post-occupational dermatitis: a rare variant of a common skin disease].

Persistent post-occupational dermatitis is a rare variant of occupational eczemas characterized by skin symptoms which persist after the elimination of occupational allergens. Further diagnostic criteria are the followings: absence of dermatitis in past history of patients, presentation confined to both hands almost exclusively, and causal role of occupational allergens with both irritative and allergic origins is confirmed. The author presents a case which meets all these diagnostic criteria. Epidemiology of occupational dermatoses, impact on quality of life and social-economic aspects are also discussed.