[Use of skin protective agents by patients with occupational dermatoses: need for improved preventive behavior].
OBJECTIVE
In high-risk workplaces, primary and secondary measures to prevent occupational dermatoses are necessary. Therefore, protective creams as useful tools in prevention have to be applied adequate. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether a protective cream is adequately applied to the hands by patients with occupational dermatoses after self-application, and to quantify what areas are covered or missed.


METHODS
50 patients of the Department of Dermatology of the University Hospital, Zurich, suffering from job-related skin diseases were recruited for a questionnaire and self-application of a cream as they would typically apply it. The cream contained 1% vitamin A acetate in order to fluoresce bright yellow when irradiated with Wood's light.


RESULTS
84% believed that their symptoms were occupationally-related. However, only 44% were occasional or regular users of protective creams and only 36% had previously been informed about skin protection at the workplace. Self-application of a fluorescent preparation resulted in many areas shown as skipped when viewed under Wood's lamp. Only 60% applied the test preparation sufficiently and the application was incomplete, especially in the dorsal aspects of the hands.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results underline the necessity of educational efforts in the prevention of occupational dermatoses and present an effective approach to teaching patients the proper use of protective creams.
Wigger-Alberti
W
W
Dermatologische Klinik Universitätsspital Zürich.
Maraffio
B
B
Elsner
P
P
D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009824:Ointments; D010349:Patient Compliance
D004643:Emollients; D009824:Ointments