During the vocational training of apprentices in the hairdresser's trade (n=169) and nursing care (n=255) in East Thuringia, an epidemiologic study was carried out between 1992 and 1993. The trainees were interviewed in a standardized way and had to undergo dermatologic examinations right at the beginning of their apprenticeship, six months (for the hairdressing apprentices) respectively twelve months (for the hairdressing and nursing apprentices) after they had started the apprenticeship and at the nd of the apprenticeship. In their case histories, 6.7% (n=17) of the nursing apprentices and 1.8% (n=3) of the hairdressing apprentices showed hand eczema. During the primary examination, 15.3 % (n=34) of the nursing apprentices and 17.8 % (n=30) of the hairdressing apprentices showed hand eczema. During the first follow-up examination the percentage of the persons showing hand eczema had increased to 24.9 % (n=49) respectively 39.5 % (n= 60). The final examination showed a slight decrease in the percentage of hand eczema for both professional groups. Although the majority of patients had regularly used skin care products, there was a high percentage of skin diseases of the hand among the trainees. An atopic skin diathesis (> 10 points according to Diepgen) could be identified as risk factor. Metal sensitization or respiratory atopy could not be associated with the development of hand eczema.
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