Nurses' perceptions of the benefits and adverse effects of hand disinfection: alcohol-based hand rubs vs. hygienic handwashing: a multicentre questionnaire study with additional patch testing by the German Contact Dermatitis Research Group.

Summary Background  Nurses have a high risk of developing hand eczema due to hand disinfection procedures. Objectives  To investigate the perception of nurses regarding the adverse effects of hand washing (HW) and alcoholic disinfection (ADI), and to obtain data on the prevalence of hand dermatitis and sensitization to alcohols and alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs). Methods  A self-administered questionnaire survey, carried out as a pilot study (PS), followed by a modified multicentre study (MC) in five hospitals. Patch tests to ethanol (80%), 1-propanol (60%), 2-propanol (70%) and ABHRs were performed in a subsample. Results  The majority (PS 60·1%; MC 69·5%) of nurses considered ADI to be m…

Ammonium thiolactate and thiolactic acid: important hairdressers' allergens?

Late reactions to patch test preparations with reduced concentrations of p-phenylenediamine : a multicentre investigation of the German Contact Dermatitis Research Group

Background. p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) 1% in petrolatum has been shown in a prospective study to elicit late reactions in 1.5% of routine patch tests, which may be indicative of patch test sensitization. Objectives. To assess the frequency of late reactions to reduced PPD patch test concentrations. Methods. In 1838 patients, PPD was tested at three concentrations (0.5% pet., group I; 0.4% pet., group II; and 0.35% pet., group III). Patch tests were read on D1 (D2) to D3 (D4); additional late readings were performed on D7, D14, and D21. Patients who were not able to return for all scheduled late readings were telephoned on D7, D14, and D21, and questioned about a reaction at the patch test sit…

Kontaktallergie (V 58–V 65)

Is ultraviolet exposure acquired at work the most important risk factor for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma? Results of the population-based case-control study FB-181

Background Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is among the most frequent types of cancer constituting a significant public health burden. Prevention strategies focus on limiting UV-exposure during leisure time. However, the relative impact of occupational and non-occupational UV-exposure for SCC occurrence is unclear. Objectives To investigate the association between occupational and non-occupational UV-exposure with SCC in a multicenter population-based case-control study hypothesizing that high occupational UV-exposure increases the risk for SCC. Methods Consecutive patients with incident SCC (n=632) were recruited from a German national dermatology network. Population-based controls (n=996) w…