This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Pitfalls of Occupational Skin Protection

Walter Wigger-Alberti, MD; Bruno Maraffio; Manuela Wernli, PhD; Peter Elsner, MD

Arch Dermatol. 1997;133(7):861-864.

Abstract
Objectives
To determine if a protective cream (PC) is adequately applied to the hands by workers in several occupations and to quantify what areas are covered or missed.

Design
Prospective diagnostic study.

Settings
Metalworking factory, construction sites, and university hospital.

Participants
One hundred fifty healthy volunteers (50 from each setting) were recruited for a questionnaire interview and typical self-application of a PC.

Intervention
None.

Main Outcome Measure
Percentage of sufficient cover with PC as assessed with fluorescence under Wood light.

Results
Many areas were skipped when viewed under Wood light. The application of PC was incomplete, especially on the dorsal aspects of the hands. Conclusion: Individuals should be made aware of the most commonly missed regions to ensure complete skin protection. This simple method is a useful adjunct to quantify self-application and in worker education.

Arch Dermatol. 1997;133:861-864

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland (Drs Wigger-Alberti and Elsner and Mr Maraffio), and Turimed AG, Wallisellen, Switzerland (Dr Wernli).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Facebook    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?