Occupational skin diseases in national servicemen and military personnel in Singapore, 1989-1999.

This is a study of occupational skin disease among military personnel and conscripts in Singapore. All military personnel and conscripts diagnosed with occupational dermatoses in the National Skin Centre, Singapore, between 1989-1999 were studied retrospectively. Conscripts and regulars comprised 7.3% of all occupational skin disease patients seen. All were male, with a mean age of 23 years. Irritant contact dermatitis was more common than allergic contact dermatitis, by 4.4:1. The most common vocations associated with occupational skin diseases are those involving vehicle repairs and maintenance (48%) and food handling (19%). The most common irritants were oil/grease (66%), wet work (23%) and solvents (18%). The most common allergens were food (40%) and chromates (20%). Military personnel and conscripts make up a significant proportion of occupational skin disease patients seen in Singapore.