Abstract
Between 90% and 95% of skin disorders caused or aggravated by the workplace are contact dermatitis and are either allergic or irritant in origin. At the same time, contact dermatitis accounts for approximately 5.7 million physician visits per year. Obviously, many of these private cases are work-related, at least to some extent. Unfortunately, many dermatologists are reluctant to see these patients, ignore the work relationship, or even refuse to schedule appointments for them if a work relationship is suspected. The reasons physicians give are varied, but the overriding one appears to be related to misunderstanding workers' compensation and how it functions. The purpose of this report is to outline and describe the essential elements of the care of patients with workers' compensation and show how the dermatologist can work with the system and make it function for the benefit of both patient and physician.
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