Aim To identify factors influencing the occupational future of healthcare workers suffering from occupational dermatitis.

Patients and Methods This was a multicenter cross-sectional study of healthcare workers suffering from occupational dermatosis in the four public hospitals in the central region of Tunisian. A synoptic sheet related to socio-professional and administrative data was completed. A self-questionnaire relative to medical data and occupational future was completed during a direct interview.

Results The study involved 40 healthcare workers, only 37 workers were included in the study. They were predominantly female (73%) and mean aged 44.7±9.4 years. A request of reclassification was introduced in 19 cases (51%), workstation adaptation in 14 cases (38%) and allergen eviction in 20 cases (54%). A mutation was reported in two patients (5.4%) and three workers retired (8.1%). A statistically significant association was found between the request of reclassification, a history of allergic manifestations (p = 0.003) and the allergic agent (p = 0.014). Workstation layout was significantly associated with a history of allergic manifestations (p = 0.039), the hand palm location (p = 0.04), and eviction measures. After multiple binary logistic regression, the request of reclassification was significantly correlated with a history of allergic manifestations (p = 0.008), a sensitization to nickel sulfate (p = 0.009) and the fingers location (p = 0.038). The change of workstation was significantly correlated with a history of allergic manifestations (p = 0.026).

Conclusion The occupational future of healthcare workers suffering from occupational dermatitis depends on a history of atopy (especially allergic rhinitis) and sensitization to allergens (thiuram mix).