OBJECTIVES: Due to increased occupational dermatoses in certain professions such as health care workers (HCW), cleaning and kitchen employees (CKE), measures of prevention and skin protection are of high significance. Skin protection courses focus on educational aims (e.g. improving skin care habits, influencing the participants' attitudes towards health) and medical aims (e.g. optimising diagnostic procedures, complementing individual therapy). METHODS: Participants are patients who have been suspected to suffer from an occupational skin disease and are insured with the German Accident Prevention & Insurance Association (BGW). Teaching units of the skin protection courses focus on basics of skin functioning and important aspects of occupational skin diseases. Practical parts include information and instructions about the correct implementation of skin protection, skin care and skin cleansing. Every participant is seen by a dermatologist obtaining a precise patient's history and performing a skin examination. All this results in working out individually adapted and professional skin protection strategies. RESULTS: In total, 791 participants (93 men and 698 women) completed the skin protections courses. Six hundred and sixty-seven patients (mean age: 36.9 years, SD = 11.6) were HCW and 124 patients (mean age: 40.4 years, SD = 10.8) were CKE. In HCW 82.5% (n = 550) and in CKE 86.3% (n = 107) suffered from hand eczema of the atopic, irritant or allergic type. Irritant contact dermatitis as a single diagnosis was the most frequent one in both groups (HCW: 34.5.%, n = 230; CKE: 49.2% n = 61). According to regularly performed evaluations, the participants rated the course as good to excellent. Nearly 80% of the participants had skin lesions while attending the course, in 27% the dermatosis was severe. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high need for health education, advisory services, diagnostics and additional therapy in occupational dermatology. Prevention of occupational skin diseases and maintenance of health through educational programmes are important complementary measures for dermatological care but still missing in endangered professions.
OBJECTIVES: Due to increased occupational dermatoses in certain professions such as health care workers (HCW), cleaning and kitchen employees (CKE), measures of prevention and skin protection are of high significance. Skin protection courses focus on educational aims (e.g. improving skin care habits, influencing the participants' attitudes towards health) and medical aims (e.g. optimising diagnostic procedures, complementing individual therapy). METHODS: Participants are patients who have been suspected to suffer from an occupational skin disease and are insured with the German Accident Prevention & Insurance Association (BGW). Teaching units of the skin protection courses focus on basics of skin functioning and important aspects of occupational skin diseases. Practical parts include information and instructions about the correct implementation of skin protection, skin care and skin cleansing. Every participant is seen by a dermatologist obtaining a precise patient's history and performing a skin examination. All this results in working out individually adapted and professional skin protection strategies. RESULTS: In total, 791 participants (93 men and 698 women) completed the skin protections courses. Six hundred and sixty-seven patients (mean age: 36.9 years, SD = 11.6) were HCW and 124 patients (mean age: 40.4 years, SD = 10.8) were CKE. In HCW 82.5% (n = 550) and in CKE 86.3% (n = 107) suffered from hand eczema of the atopic, irritant or allergic type. Irritant contact dermatitis as a single diagnosis was the most frequent one in both groups (HCW: 34.5.%, n = 230; CKE: 49.2% n = 61). According to regularly performed evaluations, the participants rated the course as good to excellent. Nearly 80% of the participants had skin lesions while attending the course, in 27% the dermatosis was severe. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high need for health education, advisory services, diagnostics and additional therapy in occupational dermatology. Prevention of occupational skin diseases and maintenance of health through educational programmes are important complementary measures for dermatological care but still missing in endangered professions.
Authors: Elke Weisshaar; Magdalena Radulescu; Michael Bock; Ursel Albrecht; Thomas L Diepgen Journal: Contact Dermatitis Date: 2006-05 Impact factor: 6.600
Authors: Hans Joachim Schwanitz; Ulrike Riehl; Tanja Schlesinger; Meike Bock; Christoph Skudlik; Britta Wulfhorst Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2003-04-29 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Kristina Sophie Ibler; Gregor B E Jemec; Thomas L Diepgen; Christian Gluud; Jane Lindschou Hansen; Per Winkel; Simon Francis Thomsen; Tove Agner Journal: BMJ Date: 2012-12-12
Authors: Cara Symanzik; Yasemin Topal Yüksel; Maria Oberlander Christensen; Jacob P Thyssen; Christoph Skudlik; Swen Malte John; Richard Brans; Tove Agner Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-10-07 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Robin F van Gils; Pieter G M van der Valk; Derk Bruynzeel; Pieter J Coenraads; Cécile R L Boot; Willem van Mechelen; Johannes R Anema Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2009-12-01 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Maja Hvid Fisker; Tove Agner; Jane Lindschou; Jens Peter Bonde; Kristina Sophie Ibler; Christian Gluud; Per Winkel; Niels E Ebbehøj Journal: BMC Dermatol Date: 2013-11-19