Skin disease caused or worsened by factors in the
working environment is one of the most commonly
occurring work-related illnesses. The predominant
condition is hand eczema, since in many jobs the
skin on the hands is subjected to damage caused
by contact with skin irritants and allergens. Unequivocal
reports in industrial injury registers, epidemiological
studies and clinical records indicate
that women are affected far more than men. However,
differences between the sexes with regard to
work-related skin disease have never been studied
to any great extent. A summary of a number of
dermatological textbooks was drawn up in 1996
at the University of Linköping Faculty of Health