Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of developing hand dermatitis (HD). Guidelines recommend moisturizers to prevent HD, but in practice their effectiveness has been poorly investigated. Objectives To assess whether an intervention aimed at improving skin care leads to a reduction in HD severity. Methods In this 1‐year randomized controlled trial, 9 wards (285 HCWs) were allocated to an intervention group (IG), and 10 wards (216 HCWs) were allocated to the control group (CG). The intervention included provision of cream dispensers with electronic monitoring of use, regularly communicated to the HCWs. The primary and secondary outcomes were change from baseline in Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) score (ΔHECSI) and change in natural moisturizing factor (NMF) level (ΔNMF). Results At 12 months, the rates of loss to follow‐up were 41% and 39% in the IG and the CG, respectively. The HECSI score was reduced in the IG by −6.2 points (95%CI: −7.7 to −4.7) and in the CG by −4.2 points (95%CI: −6.0 to −2.4). There was no significant difference in ΔHECSI or ΔNMF between the groups. Relative improvement in the HECSI score was significantly higher in the IG than in the CG (56% vs 44%). In a subgroup of HCWs with mild HD, the IG showed a larger HECSI score decrease than the CG ( P < 0.001). Conclusion Although there was no significant effect on the primary outcomes, the intervention showed overall positive effects on the HECSI score.

BackgroundRecently, natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) and corneocyte surface topography were suggested as biomarkers for irritant dermatitis.ObjectivesTo investigate how exposure to different irritants influences corneocyte surface topography, NMF levels and the barrier function of human skin in vivo.MethodsEight healthy adult volunteers were exposed to aqueous solutions of 60% n‐propanol, 0.5% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), 0.15% sodium hydroxide, and 2.0% acetic acid, and distilled water, in a repeated irritation test over a period of 96 hours. Erythema, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, the dermal texture index (DTI) and NMF levels were measured at baseline, and after 24 and 96 hours.ResultsSLS and sodium hydroxide had the most pronounced effects on erythema and TEWL. Although n‐propanol caused only slight changes in TEWL and erythema, it showed pronounced effects on skin hydration, NMF levels, and the DTI. NMF was the only parameter that was significantly altered by all investigated irritants. The changes in the DTI were inversely associated with NMF levels and skin hydration.ConclusionSkin barrier impairment and the inflammatory response are irritant‐specific, emphasizing the need for a multiparametric approach to the study of skin irritation. NMF levels seem to be the most sensitive parameter in detecting irritant‐induced skin barrier alterations.

BackgroundHealth care workers (HCW) are at high risk for developing occupational hand dermatitis (HD) due to frequent exposure to ‘wet work’. Amongst HCWs, nurses are at highest risk, with an estimated point prevalence of HD ranging between 12 and 30%. The burden of disease is high with chronicity, sick leave, risk of unemployment and impaired quality of life. Despite evidence from the medical literature on the risk factors and the importance of skin care in the prevention of HD, in practice, compliance to skin care protocols are below 30%. New preventive strategies are obviously needed.Methods/designThis is a cluster randomized controlled trial, focusing on nurses performing wet work. In total, 20 wards are recruited to include 504 participating nurses in the study at baseline. The wards will be randomized to an intervention or a control group and followed up for 18 months.The intervention consists of the facilitation of creams being available at the wards combined with the continuous electronic monitoring of their consumption with regular feedback on skin care performance in teams of HCWs. Both the intervention and the control group receive basic education on skin protection (as ‘care as usual’). Every 6 months, participants of both groups will fill in the questionnaires regarding exposure to wet work and skin protective behavior. Furthermore, skin condition will be assessed and samples of the stratum corneum collected. The effect of the intervention will be measured by comparing the change in Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI score) from baseline to 12 months. The Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) levels, measured in the stratum corneum as an early biomarker of skin barrier damage, and the total consumption of creams per ward will be assessed as a secondary outcome.DiscussionThis trial will assess the clinical effectiveness of an intervention program to prevent hand dermatitis among health care workersTrial registrationNetherlands Trial Register (NTR), identification number NTR5564. Registered on 2 November 2015.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1803-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of developing hand dermatitis (HD). Current guidelines on HD prevention recommend the use of emollients; however, in practice, adherence is poor. Objective To assess whether the provision of creams, electronic monitoring and feedback on cream consumption can improve skin care in HCWs. Methods A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted on 19 academic hospital wards, including 501 HCWs, for 12 months. The intervention wards ( n = 9; 285 HCWs) were provided with hand cream dispensers equipped with an electronic system to monitor use, which was regularly communicated to the HCWs by the use of posters. The process outcomes were self‐reported cream consumption in both groups, and electronically measured consumption per ward in the intervention group (IG) vs the control group (CG). Results Self‐reported cream use at follow‐up was significantly higher in the IG than in the CG, before (odds ratio [OR] 2.27; 95%CI: 1.29‐3.97; P = 0.004) and during (OR 3.30; 95%CI: 1.80‐6.06, P < 0.001) the shift, whereas at baseline there was no difference between the groups. In the IG, electronically measured cream use was, on average, 0.4 events per shift per HCW. Conclusion The intervention improved hand cream use, and may therefore be considered as a practical strategy to promote skin care in HCWs. Notwithstanding this, the application frequency remained lower than recommended in the present study and current guidelines.