Medica Jadertina, Vol. 49 No. 2, 2019.
Professional paper
Contact dermatitis caused by hand washing in health care professionals in Dubrovnik General Hospital
Jelena Pezo
; Opća bolnica Dubrovnik, Odjel za abdominalnu i torakalnu kirurgiju, Dubrovnik
Ana Bakija-Konsuo
; Poliklinika za dermatovenerologiju CUTIS, Dubrovnik
Sanja Zoranić
; Sveučilište u Dubrovniku, Dubrovnik
Ljiljana Betica-Radić
; Opća bolnica Dubrovnik, Odjel za infektologiju i dermatovenerologiju
Abstract
Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition caused by direct contact. It is the most common professional skin disease. Skin damage with chemical and physical irritants acting directly on the skin surface cause non-allergic or irritative contact dermatitis. If the damage is caused by the sensitization of the skin to a substances of low molecular weight then we are talking about allergic contact dermatitis. The most common changes occur on the hands. Diagnosis is performed by using anamnestic data, clinical picture and allergy test.
The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of contact dermatitis as a consequence of washing hands with hand-wash soaps and disinfectants that health care professionals in Dubrovnik Hospital are using; to determine which washing and disinfecting agents are most often used in their everyday work, but also to evaluate their knowledge and awareness of risk factors and prevention measures. The study was made on health care staff in some of Dubrovnik General Hospital departments such as: surgical department, intensive care unit and internal unit.
According to our research results, we can conclude that only a small number of health care professionals have diagnosed irritant or contact dermatitis. Over 90% of respondents use hand disinfectants more than ten times a day. The most widely used are Plivasept products. Skin changes from frequent washing and skin disinfection are not perceived as illness but because of their work.
Keywords
dermatitis; contact dermatitis; disinfectants; hand washing
Hrčak ID:
225797
URI
Publication date:
1.10.2019.
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