Dermatoses professionnelles induites par les détergents, désinfectants et antiseptiques. À propos de 50 patients d’une consultation de dermatologie professionnelle

Abstract

Summary Background Anti-infectious prevention has led to an important use of disinfectants, detergents, and antiseptics (DDA) in different sectors of activities. Most of these products are skin irritants and allergens, and can be responsible for skin disorders in exposed workers. Objectives To report occupational dermatoses diagnosed in patients exposed to detergents, disinfectants, and antiseptics at the workplace, and discuss the share of responsibility attributable, ascribable to these products in the occurrence of the dermatoses. Methods A descriptive and retrospective study about occupational dermatoses diagnosed in a hospital consultation focused on occupational dermatology clinic, in patients working in the sectors of activity most exposed to these products (health, food and cleaning industry). Results One hundred and twenty-nine cases of occupational dermatoses have been diagnosed at this consultation between November 2002 and April 2007: 50, which represent 38.7%, concerned employees exposed to DDA at the workplace. The most frequent dermatoses for these workers are irritant contact dermatitis (42%), and allergic contact dermatitis (26%). Main allergens are: disinfectants and antiseptics (26.3%), especially quaternary ammoniums and aldehydes, and nickel. Conclusion Patients professionally exposed to DDA represent an important part (38.7%) of the patients suffering from occupational dermatoses, mainly irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. The responsibility of these products in the occurrence of dermatoses is very probable, but the contributrion of other cofactors cannot be excluded. It is important to introduce effective prevention policies in these occupational areas and to confirm that there is an increasing problem.