Abstract
Occupational skin diseases are one of the most important occupational diseases and their number reached nearly 300 in the Czech Republic in 2017. They represent almost 25% of all occupational diseases.
Allergic contact dermatitis was the 3rd most frequently reported occupational disease with 131 cases; it is most often caused by plastic materials, rubber and rubber components, metals, disinfectants, paints and detergents. Among infectious skin diseases, scabies was the most frequent with 95 cases.
On the other hand, a significant decrease of several skin diseases was recorded, such as acne oleosa and irritant contact dermatitis that are most frequently caused by mineral oils, organic solvents or detergents. The diagnostic criteria, legislation and the process of verification of occupational exposure as the key factor leading to the disease, are described in the article, as well as diagnostic difficulties of occupational skin diseases assessment.
Working conditions are constantly changing due to innovative technologies and technical progress. These changes are the main reason, why the "open list" of occupational skin diseases best reflects the preventive needs of occupational medicine.