Skin cleansers for occupational use: testing the skin compatibility of different formulations.
OBJECTIVE
Skin-compatible hand cleansing is crucial for the prevention of occupational dermatitis. In this article we give an overview of skin-cleansing products and their ingredients and investigate whether solvents or abrasives could be avoided in cleansers for severely soiled skin.


METHODS
Comparison of skin compatibility, cleansing power and effectiveness of different formulations of skin cleansers was performed via Duhring chamber tests [visual score, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL)] and standard hand-wash tests.


RESULTS
The results show that, dependent on the grade of contamination, a range of skin cleansers that allow adequate skin cleansing, is necessary. Solvents could be avoided, by the use of powerful cleansing systems based on tenside/oil mixtures. Only for special contaminations may solvents be useful. Powerful cleansing activity could be performed without abrasives.


CONCLUSIONS
The worker must be able to choose the skin cleanser that is adequate for the contamination that is present. Therefore, information and education of the workers are crucial for skin-compatible skin cleansing.
Klotz
A
A
Stockhausen GmbH & Co. KG, Bäkerpfad 25, 47805, Krefeld, Germany.
Veeger
M
M
Röcher
W
W
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017592:Skin Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D013501:Surface-Active Agents