[Risk factors for dryness or irritation of staff hands in nine healthcare institutions].
OBJECTIVE
We performed a prospective multicenter study to assess dryness and irritation of hands of staff in care facilities, and to show that disinfection with alcohol-based hand rub is better tolerated than classic hand washing with mild soap.


METHODS
Dryness and irritation were self-evaluated by volunteers and hetero-evaluated by a team of investigators. The study took into account most of the individual and environmental risk factors of dryness and irritation (season, age, gender, use of protective agent, constitutional, personal and external factors, institution, function, number of consecutive working days).


RESULTS
The results from the 1932 assessments collected showed that traditional hand washing was a risk factor for dryness or irritation, while alcohol-based hand rubs caused no skin deterioration and had a protective effect even when used intensively.


CONCLUSIONS
These results should help to fight non-adherence to the use of alcohol-based hand rubs.
Unité de biostatistique et hygiène hospitalière, centre de lutte contre le cancer Antoine-Lacassagne, 33, avenue de Valombrose, 06189 Nice cedex 2, France.
P
P
Sacleux
A
A
Bozec
P
P
Veyres
N
N
Negrin
F
F
Vandenbos
P-Y
PY
Bondiau
M-J
MJ
Duval
S
S
Lambert
L
L
Mazzoni
V
V
Chapuis
I
I
Bodokh
M
M
Dandine
E
E
Chamorey
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004643:Emollients; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006268:Health Facilities; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012915:Soaps / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004643:Emollients; D012915:Soaps; D000431:Ethanol