Dermatoses among poultry workers: "chicken poison disease".

To investigate the causes of skin eruptions affecting poultry workers, we reviewed our medical records and surveyed a southcentral Pennsylvania poultry processing plant. Examination of the records of routine patch test clinic patients seen from January, 1981, to July, 1982, revealed three poultry workers with allergic contact dermatitis and one with irritant contact dermatitis. We then examined one hundred fifty workers at a poultry processing plant, noting the presence of occupational dermatoses, with special interest in the occurrence of contact dermatitis. We found thirteen dermatoses in nine workers. These included Candida infections, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, abrasions and cuts, warts, and dyshidrotic eczema.