FACTORS INVOLVED IN LEATHER DERMATITIS

Abstract

Until Lewis'¹paper entitled "Dermatitis Venenata Due to Shoe Leather" appeared in 1931, little interest in leather as a source of dermatitis was manifested in the literature. Shortly after the World War a series of papers on dermatitis due to leather substitutes appeared, but beyond brief case reports the only etiologic study of the irritant effects of leather was undertaken by Macht.^1a Leather dermatitis occurs infrequently. A prominent manufacturer of hat leather stated that complaints of irritation have not averaged more than one or two a year over a period of many years. Cases of so-called hatband dermatitis are deemed of sufficient interest clinically to be presented at society meetings. Statistics gathered from the literature on occupational dermatitis likewise show that irritation of the skin due to leather and leather ingredients is uncommon. Gardiner²cited 6 instances in 622 cases of occupational dermatoses, and Lane,³44