Current acceptance and implementation of preventive strategies for occupational hand eczema in 1355 metalworkers in Germany

Kütting, Birgitta; Weistenhöfer, Wobbeke; Baumeister, Thomas; Uter, Wolfgang; Drexler, Hans

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09085.x

Cited by 49 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…In line with the conclusions of that review, use of moisturizers has been recommended by the European Society of Contact Dermatitis in their recent guidelines for the prevention and therapy of occupational hand dermatitis . However, skin protection and use of moisturizers in the workplace is low, emphasizing the need for a systematic knowledge dissemination on risk factors and prevention bridging the gap between research and practice …”

Section: Impaired Skin Barrier As a Risk Factor For Contact Dermatitismentioning

confidence: 69%

The role of skin barrier in occupational contact dermatitis

Jakaša

Thyssen

Kežić

2018

Experimental Dermatology

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Skin diseases represent one of the most common work-related diseases and may have a detrimental effect on social, personal and occupational aspects of life. Contact dermatitis (CD), which comprises predominately irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), accounts for vast majority of occupational skin diseases, especially in occupations associated with frequent skin contact with irritants and contact allergens. Although ICD and ACD have similar clinical manifestation, their pathophysiology and the role of the skin barrier are different. In ICD, perturbation of the skin barrier is the primary event which sets into motion diverse metabolic processes and triggers activation of innate immunity without the involvement of adaptive immune system. In ACD, a type IV hypersensitivity reaction induced by contact allergens, the skin barrier impairment may evoke innate signalling pathways during the sensitization phase required for the activation of T-cell adaptive response. Thus, skin barrier impairment may increase the risk of ICD or ACD not only because of enhanced permeability and ingress of irritants and allergens but also by the generation of innate immune signal needed for the induction of allergic response. Hence, an efficient way to prevent CD is to avoid skin barrier damage in the workplace. This review focuses on the skin barrier, how it is affected by skin irritants and how its impairment contributes to the development of ICD and ACD.

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Section: Impaired Skin Barrier As a Risk Factor For Contact Dermatitismentioning

confidence: 69%

The role of skin barrier in occupational contact dermatitis

Jakaša

Thyssen

Kežić

2018

Experimental Dermatology

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“…The questionnaire used for a standardized personal interview has been described in detail elsewhere [33]. In short, the main part of the interview was related to working conditions, use of skin protection at the workplace and dermatological disorders of the hands.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Smoking Have a Significant Impact on Early Irritant Hand Dermatitis in Metal Workers?

Kütting

Uter²,

Weistenhöfer³

et al. 2011

Dermatology

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Background: Although they know the long-term complications of smoking, many smokers require additional motivation for entering a smoking cessation programme. At the same time, smoking is considered a possible promoting factor for various skin diseases. Objective: The present study assesses the impact of smoking on occupational hand dermatitis in a high-risk population. Material and Methods: 1,355 metal workers, 97.3% of them shift workers, took part in a standardized interview and a dermatological examination of their hands. A subgroup of 1,020 males was willing to be followed-up for 1 year. Of those, 78.3% could be included in the final assessment. Results: Compared to the general German adult population the percentage of smokers was increased (41.7% at baseline). Probably due to self-selection bias and to a higher drop-out rate, the proportion of smokers was significantly lower at follow-up. Compared to nonsmokers, smokers had significantly higher score values for both erythematous lesions and vesicles. Conclusion: The present data might give additional support for occupational physicians or dermatologists to convince workers to quit smoking.

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“…HEROS is a quantitative skin score for the hands, suitable for manifest hand eczema but also for detecting minimal skin lesions in persons with mostly healthy skin. The score was tried and tested in a large study with metal workers and was characterized by good to excellent inter‐ and intra‐observer variability …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The tissue viability imaging system—Suitable method for discovering minimal skin changes in occupational screenings? Results of a cross‐sectional field study

Weistenhöfer

Uter

Bernet

et al. 2019

Skin Research and Technology

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Background For early detection of initial skin changes in occupational screenings, only few objective assessment systems are available. Objectives With the aim of assessing an objective measurement method for hand eczema, we trialed the application of the tissue viability imaging (TiVi) system, quantifying erythema non‐invasively by polarized light spectroscopy. Materials and Methods In a field study with 625 employees of a semiconductor production company, 411 were exposed to prolonged wearing of occlusive gloves in the clean room. TiVi system and Hand Eczema Score for Occupational Screenings (HEROS), a quantitative skin score for the hands, were used, supplemented by a standardized personal interview. Results TiVi values of 65 up to 246 for each hand (palm or back), for each participant summed to overall 289 up to 848 (median 389), were measured. Higher TiVi values were noted for men, smokers, and with increasing age. Correlation between TiVi and HEROS was only weak. Several factors like skin pigmentation, thickness of the skin, or tattoos seem to influence TiVi results. Conclusions The practical relevance of one‐time measurements with the TiVi system in occupational screenings seems to be limited. Specifically, the TiVi system cannot replace dermatological examinations at the workplace. Notwithstanding, the application for other scientific purposes might be useful.

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Current acceptance and implementation of preventive strategies for occupational hand eczema in 1355 metalworkers in Germany

Abstract: Although barrier creams and moisturizers are highly recommended as effective means to prevent irritant contact dermatitis in Germany, our data prove that the compliance of application in this group at special risk for hand eczema is extremely low.

Cited by 49 publications

References 28 publications

The role of skin barrier in occupational contact dermatitis

The role of skin barrier in occupational contact dermatitis

Does Smoking Have a Significant Impact on Early Irritant Hand Dermatitis in Metal Workers?

The tissue viability imaging system—Suitable method for discovering minimal skin changes in occupational screenings? Results of a cross‐sectional field study

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