An international survey on the prognosis of occupational contact dermatitis of the hands.

Prognosis is a crucial topic in contact dermatitis. We recently reviewed the extensive literature on the prognosis of contact dermatitis. The majority of patients in these studies had persistent dermatitis. Job changes usually did not lead to a significant improvement for most patients with occupational contact dermatitis. We performed a worldwide survey of colleagues with expertise in treating patients suffering from occupational contact dermatitis of the hands. Of 65 experts, 51 returned questionnaires for analysis. 67% of European and 29% of respondents from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, United States of America, Canada, and Mexico stated that more than 75% of workers with severe hand dermatitis required a job change. 78% of the respondents found that chromate and 57% found that nickel allergy were associated with the worst possible prognosis. 98% felt that barrier creams were no more effective than bland emollients in the prevention of hand dermatitis.