Chrome sensitivity in Israel

Abstract

Israeli Jewish patients (52) suffering from chrome sensitivity (CS) were investigated with regard to their ethnic origin, age of onset of the dermatitis, occupational history and socioeconomic level. Patients (48) suffering from various skin conditions and drawn from the outpatient dermatological clinic were used as controls. The socioeconomic status of CS patients was very low, regardless of ethnic origin. Of the patients, 94% were non-Ashkenazi Jews and a significantly increased proportion were Kurdish (24%). There were no major differences in their occupations. Patients of Kurdish origin manifested the disease at a significantly earlier age than other non-Ashkenazi patients, although the socioeconomic conditions of the different ethnic grous of patients were similar.