title: Self-reported skin disease in hydrotherapists working in swimming pools.
abstract: The aim of our study was to investigate the risk and characteristics of self-reported skin diseases among hydrotherapists. We attempted to contact 400 adults who participated in 1 of 2 training courses. 248 were reached and 190 of them (76.6%) completed the questionnaires. The data were collected by means of a telephone interview and a detailed questionnaire sent by mail. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, univariate and multifactorial analysis. Of those completing the questionnaire (75.8% females and 24.2% males), 44.4% of the hydrotherapists reported on the development of skin disease for the first time after the beginning of work at the swimming pool. The most common symptoms included pruritus and erythematous patches affecting mainly the extremities and trunk. Both smoking and increased exposure hours to pool water were independently associated with skin disease, suggesting a dose-response relationship. We conclude that contact dermatitis should be recognized as an occupational disease in hydrotherapists.
authors.affiliation: Contact Dermatitis Clinic, Meir Hospital, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Kfar Saba, Israel. lazarova@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lazarov
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nevo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pardo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Froom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology*; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy; D007101:Immersion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013551:Swimming Pools; D013997:Time Factors