Wet work exposure and hand eczema among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Hand eczema is common among healthcare workers. One reason is high exposure to soap and water. To prevent the spreading of infections more rigorous hygiene procedures have been implemented in healthcare during the last decade. The purpose of this study was to see how the use of disposable gloves, alcoholic hand disinfectants, and soap is associated with hand eczema. An electronic questionnaire was sent to all hospital employees in southern Sweden. Only the respondents working as nurses, assistant nurses and physicians were included in the analyses. In this group 21% had had hand eczema during the last 12 months, which is higher compared to the general population. 30% washed their hands with soap more than 20 times per day at work, 54% used non‐sterile disposable gloves for more than 2 hours per day, and 45% used alcoholic hand disinfectant more than 50 times per day. Hand eczema was more common among those who more often used soap, and among those who used disposable gloves for longer times. However hand eczema was not associated with the use of alcoholic disinfectants. This study shows that hand eczema still is common in healthcare workers. Educational programmes directed at prevention of hand eczema are needed.