High‐fat petrolatum‐based moisturizers and prevention of work‐related skin problems in wet‐work occupations

Abstract

The study presented is a randomized, controlled intervention study with the purpose of implementing an evidence-based skin disease prevention programme. The hypothesis explored in this article is whether a high-fat petrolatum-based moisturizer can be an alternative to protective gloves in wet-work occupations. The study population was all gut cleaners in Danish swine slaughterhouses, and data were collected by telephone interviews using a standardized questionnaire - The Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ-2002). At baseline, 644 (88%) gut cleaners responded and at 1-year follow-up 622 (72%). 135 gut cleaners in the intervention and 277 in the comparison group responded at both telephone interviews. In the intervention group, the eczema frequency was reduced significantly. Detailed analyses revealed that protective gloves are the overall most effective protective means and did not indicate that a high-fat moisturizer could be an alternative. Furthermore, the most extensive improvements could not be explained by combinations of protective behaviour but was found among those who had received information on, and was having discussions on prevention of skin problems. This only applied to the intervention group. A continuous focus on prevention of skin problems with information and discussions on the shop floor therefore seemed to be most important for reducing skin problems.

A Turkish translation of the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ‐2002/LONG) adapted for young workers in high‐risk jobs

“…It has been used to evaluate OSDs in many groups, such as cleaners, medical staff, dentists, hairdressers, and printing press workers. However, all the previous adaptations involved adult workers . This new Turkish NOSQ was adapted not only for young people but also for workers employed in high‐risk jobs.…”

“…All of the questions in the short questionnaire are also contained in the long version. The long version was created for assessing the occurrence of work‐related skin diseases such as hand dermatitis, forearm dermatitis, and occupational urticaria, and exacerbating factors, and can be adapted for use and research in specific populations such as medical staff, cleaning personnel, slaughterhouse workers, and other occupational groups …”

“…The long version was created for assessing the occurrence of workrelated skin diseases such as hand dermatitis, forearm dermatitis, and occupational urticaria, and exacerbating factors, and can be adapted for use and research in specific populations such as medical staff, cleaning personnel, slaughterhouse workers, and other occupational groups. 2,10,[39][40][41][42] In this study, the NOSQ-2002/LONG was adapted for young workers who were working as hairdressers, jewelers, or car mechanics in Turkey. Questionnaire Report of the NOSQ-2002 Research Group.…”

Moisturizers in the Prevention and Treatment of Hand Eczema

“…The high-fat cream could not replace gloves. Information and discussions were found to also be important in the reduction of skin problems [ 94 ].…”

Skin disease symptoms and related risk factors among young workers in high‐risk jobs

“…SD symptoms, particularly hand eczema, are important health issues in occupations that involve mostly manual work, and such diseases are generally associated with prolonged or frequent contact with water, other liquids, allergens, or irritants . Furthermore, exposure to certain heavy metals and contact with dermatitis‐causing chemicals such as acids, alkalis and solvents are known to be the most significant risk factors for SD symptoms . Workers with the highest risk of SD symptoms are those in the healthcare sector, hairdressers, car mechanics, and those in industries such as food production, construction, car manufacturing, printing, leather work, and engine servicing .…”