title: Glove use among hairdressers: difficulties in the correct use of gloves among hairdressers and the effect of education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hand eczema is frequent among Danish hairdressers, and they are advised to use gloves as protection. However, studies indicate that a significant proportion use gloves inappropriately.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether hairdressers and apprentices use protective gloves in the correct way, and to determine whether a demonstration of correct use could cause an improvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three hairdressers and apprentices were asked to perform a hair wash while wearing gloves. The shampoo used was contaminated with an ultraviolet (UV) trace material. Two rounds of hair washing were carried out by each person, interrupted by a demonstration of how to use gloves correctly. Photographs were taken to compare UV contamination before and after the demonstration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the participants (100%) had their hands contaminated during the first round; the area ranged between 0.02 and 101.37 cm(2) (median 3.62 cm(2)). In the second round, 55.8% were contaminated (range 0.00-3.08 cm(2) ; median 0.01 cm(2)). The reduction in contaminated skin areas was statistically significant (p < 0.001), proving an effect of the glove demonstration. There were no significant differences between hairdressers and apprentices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hairdressers and apprentices lack knowledge on how to handle gloves correctly. A short demonstration of correct glove use made a significant difference in the skin protection provided by gloves.
authors: Department of Dermato-Allergology, The National Allergy Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Kildegårdsvej 28, DK-2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors: Katia W
authors: KW
authors: Oreskov
authors: Department of Dermato-Allergology, Research Centre for Hairdressers and Beauticians, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Kildegårdsvej 28, DK-2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors: Heidi
authors: H
authors: Søsted
authors: Department of Dermato-Allergology, The National Allergy Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Kildegårdsvej 28, DK-2900, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors: Jeanne D
authors: JD
authors: Johansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001461:Barbering; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003718:Denmark; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: contamination; education; gloves; hairdressers