title: Occupational hand dermatoses in hospital cleaning personnel.
abstract: Hospital cleaning personnel were examined for occupational dermatoses. 356 persons were included in the study. The age ranged from 20 to 63 years with a mean of 40.1 years. The period prevalence rate of moderate and severe eczema was 12% (10% in men and 19% in women). In 88%, the eczema was of a duration longer than 2 years. Positive patch tests were found in 10% of men and 53% of women with eczema. The main allergens were nickel, cobalt, chromate and rubber chemicals. Positive tests to cleaning agents were rare. One case of contact allergy to sodium dichloro-iso-cyanurate and one to lysol were diagnosed. Irritant factors played a major rôle in most cases (92%). Fungus infection as a cause or complication in hand eczema should not be left out of consideration: in 2 persons, a mycosis of hands and/or fingernails was diagnosed.
mesh_terms: D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003902:Detergents / Q000009:adverse effects; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006797:Housekeeping, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012915:Soaps / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D012915:Soaps