The obtained data from TIP reveal remarkable pertinent options for interdisciplinary pt-management in severe OSD in all risk-professions.

The follow-up survey 9 months after the beginning of the program (response rate: IG: N = 163, 75.8%; CG: N = 80, 94.1%) showed that 71.8% (N = 117) of the intervention group could remain in work as opposed to 60.0% (N = 48) in the control group. In the intervention group 14.7% gave up work due to OSD versus 22.5% in the control group (no statistically significant effect). In the 5-year follow-up (response rate: IG: N = 172, 80%; CG: N = 55, 64.7%) 58.7% (N = 101) of the IG remained at work versus 29.1% (N = 16) of the CG. In the IG 12.8% had stopped work because of OSD versus 27.3% in the CG (p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.26). Ten years after intervention, the follow-up showed a stabilization of the effects shown by the 5-year follow-up results. In addition to the criteria 'remaining' or 'not remaining at work' the results show that our interdisciplinary intervention program led to an increased and sustained knowledge on OSD and more adequate prevention at the work place in the IG. The results confirm that interdisciplinary training can be successful in effecting self-protection against workplace hazards by using positive approaches that include the learning of "safe" behavior and insuring transferability to real workplace settings ("empowerment"). Combined preventive measures as studied in this program have recently become the standard offered by different statutory accident liability insurances for patients in different wet work occupations with OSD in Germany.

Health education is effective in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of occupational skin disorders, as clearly demonstrated by interventional studies carried out at the University of Osnabrueck. Health education may intervene with (a) habituated behaviour of affected employees and (b) the condition of working environments. In conclusion, prevention of occupational skin diseases and maintenance of health can be achieved by the conditioning of individual behaviour via specific educational programmes in addition to dermatological care.

The aim of this study was to analyse the occlusive effects of glove materials (polyvinyl chloride, natural rubber latex) on epidermal barrier function and to relate the findings to the definitions of wet work in the current German ordinance on hazardous substances (2007) and in the German technical regulations on hazardous substances (TRGS 401; 2008). Short-term effects of wearing gloves once for 4 h, as well as the long-term effects of wearing gloves for 4 h daily for 7 days were assessed in a group of 20 healthy volunteers using non-invasive methods (transepidermal water loss (TEWL), capacitance, skin colour, skin surface pH). Data were collected 30 min and 3 h after single use, as well as 1 day after a 1-week application. TEWL and capacitance data showed hyperhydration of the horny layer 30 min after a 4-h occlusion as compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Three hours later, full recovery to basal values was observed. Additionally, a significant long-term effect after daily occlusion for 4 h for 7 days could not be demonstrated. In current literature, there is controversial evidence concerning the effects of glove occlusion. This study could not verify significant damage to skin barrier after 7 days of repeated occlusion 4 h daily in healthy volunteers. These findings require further discussion regarding the definitions in the current German ordinance on hazardous substances and in the TRGS 401.

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The results support the hypothesis that semipermeable materials improve barrier recovery rates by providing an optimized water vapour gradient during the healing process. This underlines the unique benefit of semipermeable gloves in the prevention of occupational skin disease: (i) by minimizing glove-induced irritation and (ii) by enhancing barrier recovery through protective glove materials at the work place in cases of pre-existing minor irritant dermatitis.

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The acid skin surface pH has antimicrobial activities. Increased growth of Propionibacterium acnes contributes to the pathogenesis of acne. Therefore, the pH of inflammatory acne lesions was determined prior to and after lesional acidification employing Herpifix (Courage + Khazaka, Cologne, Germany), a microphoretic system. The pH was correlated with the number of acne lesions. A total of 30 volunteers with acne vulgaris participated in this crossover study applying either Herpifix or a dummy to inflammatory lesions. Prior to treatment, the pH of acne lesions was 5.7 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SD) and 22 lesions (mean +/- 10) were counted in an 8 x 8 cm(2) facial surface area. Fifteen volunteers (group A) used Herpifix first for 3 weeks and then the dummy, while the other group of 15 volunteers (group B) used the dummy first and then Herpifix. In group A, the lesional surface pH and number of lesions decreased (p < 0.01) initially. When the dummy was used over a second 3-week treatment period, the skin surface pH and number of acne lesions increased. Findings for group B were vice versa. When both groups were compared at the end of the study, a significant difference in pH values (p < 0.001) and the number of acne lesions (p < 0.05) was obtained. Herpifix may be considered as a new therapeutic option for inflammatory acne.