Incidence of contact dermatitis
In the Netherlands, an incidence of 7.9 per 1000 person-years was observed for non-etiologically defined contact dermatitis [22]. Incidences determined for selected occupations are significantly higher [23, 24]. An incidence of allergic contact dermatitis of 28 per 1000 per year was calculated in a collective made up of students at a university dermatological out-patient department in the US [19]. Using urban sample populations, British colleagues calculated an incidence of 0.6 per 1000 per year. If this rate were to be corrected by a factor that takes the consultation rate into consideration, the incidence would stand at 1.6 per 1000 per year.
Using a calculation model for a “moderate” scenario (assumptions lying somewhere between the two possible extremes), the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis was estimated at 3 per 1000 per year [25].
Maxim: As a public health problem, allergic contact dermatitis affects all age groups with a high prevalence and incidence.