Skin reactivity in workers with and without itching from occupational exposure to glass fibres
Björnberg, A.; Löwhagen, G.B.; Tengberg, J.E.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica 59(1): 49-53
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5555 PMID: 84467 Document Number: 139839
Workers (98) at a glass-wool factory were divided into 3 comparable groups: those with persistent troublesome itching from the fibers, those without itching and those who had become 'hardened' to the itching. The 3 groups were compared with respect to the results of patch testing with glass fibers and 6 chemical irritants, a rubbing test with fibers, the Trafuril test and provocation of dermographism. Anamnestic data with respect to atopy, itching from wool and synthetic fibers, sweating, reactions to the sun and general skin pigmentation were evaluated. No statistically significant differences between the 3 groups were found in respect of any of these tests or factors except for a subjectively increased sensitivity in the rubbing test with fibers for the itching group. Similar itch-provocation test might be useful for pre-employment assessment to predict severe occupational itching from glass fibers.