Exposure of the hands to wet work in nurses

Abstract

Prevention of hand dermatitis among nurses can be achieved by reduction of wet-work exposure. A preventive programme should be based on knowledge of exposure levels. An accurate method to assess such exposure levels is needed. Duration and frequency of wet-work activities were assessed by a questionnaire, in various parts of the health care sector. In addition, a randomly chosen sample from this population was observed for the duration and frequency of wet work. In contrast to the questionnaire, the observation method showed less than half the duration of wet work. Observation detected almost double the frequency that was reported with the questionnaire. Gloves were observed to be used daily in special care units for short time periods. A questionnaire does not accurately assess the quantity of wet-work activities. On regular wards, the exposure to irritants is mainly associated with the frequency of wet hands, rather than the duration of wet hands. We assume that the short-term use of gloves on special care units does not cause an increased risk of hand dermatitis. Preventive programmes can focus on decreasing the frequency of wet hands by encouraging the use of gloves; the use of gloves should not only be advised to prevent infections but also to protect against hand dermatitis.

Adolescents’ jobs and the course of dermatitis symptoms throughout puberty

“…These results confirm recent data from register-based retrospective studies (3,10,32). Exposures relevant at these workplaces do not only include irritants and allergens, but also wet work (1,33).…”

Prevention of Irritant Contact Dermatitis among Health Care Workers by Using Evidence-Based Hand Hygiene Practices: A Review

“…An allergy to alcohol-based hand rubs therefore, can often be neglected 5,12) . Irritation is the most frequent cause of occupational hand dermatitis 13) , and is mostly caused by hand washing and work in occlusion caused by the wearing of gloves 14) . The potential for irritation by alcohol-based hand rubs should also be considered.…”

Impact of wet work on epidermal barrier (TEWL and stratum corneum hydration) and skin viscoelasticity in nurses

“…Szczególną rolę przypisuje się tzw. mokremu środowisku pracy (wet work) (3,4), definiowanemu jako (5): n kontakt rąk z wodą lub płynami w ciągu znaczącego czasu zatrudnienia (powyżej 2 godzin dziennie), n częste (powyżej 20 epizodów dziennie) i intensywne mycie rąk, n noszenie okluzyjnych rękawic ochronnych w podobnym wymiarze czasu. Wykazano, że zarówno ekspozycja na wodę (6), jak i długotrwała okluzja (7) poprzez wpływ na komórki warstwy rogowej oraz międzykomórkowe struktury lipidowe naskórka wywołuje zaburzenia morfologii i funkcji bariery naskórkowej oraz może indukować nieswoistą reakcję zapalną w obrębie skóry (7,8).…”