Individualprävention beruflicher Kontaktekzeme: Schutzhandschuhe und Hautschutzempfehlungen im berufsgenossenschaftlichen Heilverfahren

Abstract

The dermatologist's procedure is a pivotal tool for early recognition of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD), for reporting OCD cases to the statutory accident insurance and for treating the diseases. The employer is in charge of implementing skin protection measures at the workplace. However, in terms of an individual prevention approach it may be necessary to propose targeted skin protection recommendations in specific patient cases. The patient's own skin protection behavior significantly contributes to regenerating and maintaining healthy skin. This behavior includes the use of occupational skin products, and in particular the correct use of appropriately selected protective gloves. Protective gloves are the most important personal protective measure in the prevention of OCD. Prevention services, occupational health and safety specialists, occupational physicians and centers specialized in occupational dermatology can support the identification of suitable protective measures. Nowadays, suitable protective gloves exist for (almost) every occupational activity and exposure. However, improper use in practice can become a risk factor by itself for the skin (e. g., incorrectly used gloves). Therefore, it is of utmost importance to identify application errors, to educate patients in terms of skin protection and to motivate them to perform an appropriate skin protection behavior. With particular focus on protective gloves, this article gives an overview of various types, materials and potentially glove-related allergens, presents strategies for reducing occlusion effects and discusses some typical application errors and solutions.

Acceptance of semipermeable glove liners compared to cotton glove liners in health care workers with work‐related skin diseases: Results of a quasi‐randomized trial under real workplace conditions

“…This “habituation effect” has already been demonstrated in studies on double‐gloving of occlusive protective gloves 50 . If there are still restrictions in tactility, use of fingertip‐free or completely fingerless COT gloves can be considered 34,51,52 . However, these cannot counteract negative occlusion effects at the fingers or fingertips.…”

German S1 guideline: Contact dermatitis

“…Protective gloves protect against a wide range of irritants, allergens, chemical and physical influences, contamination and pathogens during work and leisure activities and therefore play an important role in the prevention of contact dermatitis [234]. Glove materials and material thickness have to be adjusted to the respective exposure.…”

S1‐Leitlinie Kontaktekzem

“…Schutzhandschuhe schützen im Beruf und in der Freizeit gegen verschiedenste Irritanzien, Allergene, chemische und physikalische Einflüsse, Verschmutzung sowie gegen Krankheitserreger und spielen deshalb eine wichtige Rolle in der Prävention von Kontaktekzemen [234]. Handschuhmaterialien und Materialstärke müssen an die jeweiligen Expositionen angepasst sein.…”