Skin disease in sheep farmers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An unusual inflammation of the pinna has been reported to occur in some sheep farmers at the time of lambing.

Aims

To explore the prevalence of this disorder and its possible causal associations.

Methods

While on attachment to sheep farms during lambing, veterinary students used a standardized questionnaire to interview a sample of farmers about their work and about symptoms of skin inflammation in their hands, face and ears.

Results

Interviews were completed by 76 (67%) of the farmers approached. Among 74 farmers who had carried out lambing, 3 (4%, 95% CI 1-11%) had experienced temporally related ear symptoms, all on multiple occasions. No farmers with ear symptoms had ever been involved in calving or farrowing, and no ear symptoms were reported in

SUBMITTER: Heathcote K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3232444 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature