Two hundred-six cases of contact dermatitis were diagnosed in patients with a mean age of 42.5 years and a clear predominance of females (2.5:1). The prevalence of the disorder was 4.1% and a personal history of eczema in 23.8% of cases. Almost 50% of patients reported that their condition affected their quality of life. In 29.9% of patients there was an associated worsening irritative component of the lesions. As for the etiology, the main causes were metals, perfumes and rubbers. No positive results were found to lactone mixtures or tixocortal pivalate.

Key words: Contact dermatitis. Prevalence. Metals. Perfumes. Rubbers.