Prevalence Of Hand Dermatitis Research Articles

Prevalence of Hand Dermatitis in Inpatient Nurses at a United States Hospital

Hand dermatitis is a significant problem among inpatient nurses. Accurate population-based data on the prevalence and risk factors for hand dermatitis in this group are lacking. To determine the prevalence of hand dermatitis in inpatient nurses at a US hospital. Each nursing unit in a single hospital was visited twice by a single physician. All nurses working at the time of each visit were questioned and examined. No nurses were enrolled twice. Fifty-five percent (92 of 167) of the nurses had hand dermatitis. Among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, the prevalence was 65% (35 of 54); among non-ICU nurses, the prevalence was 50% (57 of 113). In nurses with self-reported atopic dermatitis, the prevalence was 71% (12 of 17); in nurses without self-reported atopic dermatitis, it was 53% (80 of 150). Data collection on variables such as hand hygiene and glove use relied on subject recall and was considered unreliable. There was a low prevalence of atopic patients. Hand dermatitis affects over 50% of inpatient nurses. Hand dermatitis appears to be more common in the ICU setting and in nurses with a self-reported history of atopy.

Hand dermatitis among medical students from north Queensland, Australia

Although hand dermatitis (HD) is a frequent occurrence for many health professionals, little is known about the prevalence of HD among medical students, particularly in Australia. A questionnaire-based survey of HD was administered to 261 students at a medical school in tropical northern Australia during 2004 (98.9% response rate). The prevalence of HD varied by year of study, ranging from 9.7% to 20.4% (P=0.322), with an overall prevalence of 17.4%. HD prevalence was significantly higher in those with current allergic disease (P=0.012). Some students (13.8%) reported a reaction immediately after exposure to latex products, a finding which was associated with higher prevalence of HD (P=0.001). HD may be more prevalent among students of a tropical Australian medical school than among their counterparts studied elsewhere. The identification of allergy as a significant correlate again stresses the importance of allergic disease and its relationship with skin conditions.

Hand Dermatitis Risk Factors Among Clinical Nurses in Japan

The purpose of this study was to establish hand dermatitis (HD) risk factors among Japanese nurses. A questionnaire was administered to 1,162 clinical nurses, from whom 860 replies were received (response rate of 74.0%). Their overall HD prevalence was 53.3%. Several risk factors were identified: using latex gloves (odds ratio [OR] 1.9), allergies in adulthood (OR 2.7), urticaria as an adult (OR 1.5), atopic dermatitis as an adult (OR 2.7), any allergies to latex products (OR 5.2), skin irritation following contact with latex (OR 4.1), contact dermatitis following contact with latex (OR 3.5), family history of hay fever (OR 1.6), and family history of atopic dermatitis (OR 1.9). The use of hand cream was associated with a 50% reduction in HD risk (OR 0.5). In this study, we found that Japanese clinical nurses suffer a significant occupational burden from HD. As such, it is essential that hospital managers consider interventions to reduce this troublesome occupational disease among clinical nurses in Japan, as elsewhere.

Hand dermatitis among Korean nursing students

We used a previously validated questionnaire survey, which was translated into Korean and given to 270 students from a university-based nursing school in Seoul. A total of 202 questionnaires were received. The students' hand dermatitis prevalence ranged from 6.9% in the first year to 22.9% in the fourth year. Logistic regression indicated that students with systemic allergies were 4.2 times as likely to suffer from hand dermatitis. Year of study and living arrangements were also shown to have statistically significant correlations with hand dermatitis. Overall, this study suggests that hand dermatitis might be less prevalent among Korean nursing students when compared with their international counterparts. However, the identification of systemic allergies as a significant risk factor was consistent with previous reports from other countries.

Prevalence of Occupational Hand Dermatitis in U.K. Hairdressers

Prevalence of hand dermatitis was investigated in 60 U.K. hairdressing salons. Exposure variables and individual characteristics were examined for associations with prevalence. 38.6% of respondents reported prevalent hand dermatitis and 72.7% of prevalent cases reported interdigital symptoms. Trainee hairdressers reported an increased risk of hand dermatitis, (RR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.13-7.66), as did those with < or =2 years in the profession (RR = 4.91, 95% CI = 1.09-22.22). There was a positive association between prevalence and frequent use of protective measures (p = 0.04), suggesting that use of protective measures may be a reaction to incidence rather than a precaution. Wet work was significantly associated with prevalence, and RR was increased in those who performed more frequent wet work, i.e., trainee hairdressers. Prevalence was far higher than suggested by the surveillance schemes in the U.K.

Chemical exposure and symptoms of hand dermatitis in construction painters

Studies on the prevalence of hand dermatitis in construction painting are rare. Our aim was to study the painters' chemical exposure and the prevalence of self-reported skin symptoms on hands and forearms. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 1000 Finnish male construction painters and 1000 carpenters (response rates 60.6% and 60.4%, respectively). We used 2 definitions for symptom-based hand dermatitis (liberal > or = 2 symptoms and strict criteria > or = 3) and logistic regression analysis, adjusted with age and atopy. Painters reported more symptoms of hand dermatitis than carpenters (12-month prevalence 22.5% and 14.2%, P < 0.05; strict criteria 13.3% and 6.4%, P < 0.05). A dose-response relationship was found for reporting symptoms and exposure to several solvent-based (SB) and water-based (WB) products. When exposure was combined into 1 variable, daily use of SB epoxy/urethane paints (OR 5.3, 95% CI 2.2-12.9; strict criteria 6.8, 2.3-19.9) and WB putties/plasters (1.9, 1.2-3.0; strict criteria 2.0, 1.1-3.9) were associated with hand dermatitis, whereas using only WB paints was not a risk factor. In conclusion, painters reported significantly more symptoms of hand dermatitis than carpenters. Putties/plasters emerged as a risk factor for dermatitis in construction painting.

PREVALENCE OF HAND DERMATITIS AMONG HOSPITAL NURSES WORKING IN A TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

Background: Although hand dermatitis (HD) is a common occupational problem among hospital nurses, few epidemiological studies of this disease have been conducted in regional areas or tropical environments. Aim: The aim of our investigation was, therefore, to investigate HD prevalence and correlates among nurses within a unique Australian setting. Design: We recruited a cohort of 148 female nurses from a large tertiary hospital in north Queensland, Australia, and administered a previously validated, selfreporting HD questionnaire. Results: The 12-month period prevalence ranged from 43.2% to 59.3%, with an overall group mean of 50.0%. There were no statistically significant differences in HD prevalence between the different hospital wards (p=0.4238). During multiple logistic regression, a history of allergic rash was shown to increase the HD risk 5.5-fold (odds ratio: 5.5, 95% CI: 1.9–19.2, p=0.0038). The risk of HD was also related to increased hand washing frequency (OR 5.8, 95% CI: 1.1–33.4, p=0.0402). Conclusions: Overall, the occurrence of HD among Australian nurses was relatively consistent across the various hospital wards. Their 12-month period-prevalence of HD was, however, generally higher than previous reports from other countries.

Characteristics of wet work in nurses

Nursing is known for its high prevalence of hand dermatitis, mainly caused by the intense exposure to wet work in nursing activities. We aimed to study the characteristics of wet work exposure in nursing. Trained observers monitored the duration and frequency of different wet work activities in 45 randomly chosen nurses from different wards during a morning shift, using a method of continuous observation based on labour-observation techniques. Wet work in intensive care units accounted for 24% of the overall morning shift duration, with a frequency of 49 incidents. This was 16% in dialysis wards, with a frequency of 30 incidents, and 9% on regular wards, with a frequency of 39 incidents. The wet work activities had short mean duration cycles. The mean duration of occlusion by gloves was 3.1 min on regular wards and 6.7 min in intensive care units. The characteristics of wet work in nurses differed substantially, depending on the ward. According to the German regulation TRGS 531, our observations classify nursing as a wet work occupation, due to the frequency of wet work rather than its duration. The mean duration of occlusion in our observations was short, which makes an occlusion-induced irritating effect doubtful. Reduction in wet work exposure in nursing on regular wards could focus on the reduction of the frequency of hand-washing and patient-washing. We suggest increasing the use of gloves for patient washing. Although this will increase exposure to occlusion from gloves, it may reduce the frequency of exposure to water and soap by about a quarter.

Use of aromatherapy products and increased risk of hand dermatitis in massage therapists.

To determine the 12-month prevalence of hand dermatitis among massage therapists, to investigate a potential association between hand dermatitis and the use of aromatherapy products, and to study potential associations with other known risk factors for hand dermatitis. Mailed survey. Philadelphia, Pa. Members of a national massage therapy organization who live in the greater Philadelphia region. Self-reported and symptom-based prevalences of hand dermatitis. The number of respondents was 350 (57%). The 12-month prevalence of hand dermatitis in subjects was 15% by self-reported criteria and 23% by a symptom-based method. In multivariate analysis, statistically significant independent risk factors for self-reported hand dermatitis included use of aromatherapy products in massage oils, lotions, or creams (odds ratio, 3.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-7.02; P =.002) and history of atopic dermatitis (odds ratio, 8.06; 95% confidence interval, 3.39-19.17; P<.001). The prevalence of hand dermatitis in massage therapists is high. Significant independent risk factors include use of aromatherapy products in massage oils, creams, or lotions and history of atopic dermatitis.

Work environment and hand dermatitis among nurses in a Chinese teaching hospital

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the working environment on hand dermatitis (HD) prevalence among nurses in a Chinese teaching hospital. We utilised a previously validated, self-reporting survey which was translated into Chinese. The prevalence of HD among nurses was 18.3%, although this rate varied between departments, ranging from 9.4% in gynaecology to 26.7% in intensive care (P for Trend=0.3167). Logistic regression indicated that wet work was the most important HD risk factor, with a 9-fold increase (OR 9.0, 95% CI 1.2-74.9, P=0.0342). Allergic disease was also related to HD, with a 4.6-fold increase noted (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.4-15.0, P=0.0096). Overall, the prevalence of HD among Chinese hospital nurses appears to be less than that of their foreign counterparts. Nevertheless, the burden of this disease does seem to vary with respect to depertment of employment within the hospital.

Epidemiology of hand dermatitis among rural nursing students in mainland China: results from a preliminary study

Although hand dermatitis (HD) is known to affect nursing students worldwide, no studies of this disease have yet been conducted in China. Similarly, rural populations are often neglected in international research. A preliminary study of female students from both grades of a hospital-based nursing school was conducted in Hebei Province, China, approximately 280 km south of Beijing. There were 27 students from the 2nd year of the course (47.4%) and 30 students from the 3rd year (52.6%). The study protocol involved an anonymous questionnaire distributed to a convenience sample of both grades from the nursing school. Statistical differences in prevalence by year of study were calculated using Fisher's exact test for discrete variables and One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for continuous variables. Statistical associations between HD and demographic items were investigated using the chi2 test. Where statistical association with HD were identified, simple logistic regression was also performed to establish a basic risk magnitude. Results were compared with similar populations of student nurses from previous studies in Australia, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany. HD prevalence fell from 29.6% in the 2nd year to 13.3% in the 3rd year and averaged 21.1% across both grades. Systemic allergic disease among family members was found to be statistically associated with HD (p < 0.05). Overall, our preliminary study showed that HD probably affects Chinese nursing students at rates similar to that of their Japanese counterparts, but at a higher rate than students in other investigations from Germany, Holland and Australia. The identification of familial allergic disease as a possible risk factor for HD was also novel. The investigation was conducted as a preliminary investigation, and as such, our results need to be treated with caution. Further research is recommended to more carefully elucidate the prevalence of HD among larger groups of Chinese nursing students.

Hand dermatitis among female nursing students in tropical Australia.

Although hand dermatitis is known to affect nursing students worldwide, the prevalence among their Australian counterparts has not been elucidated and the relative contribution of tropical environments is unclear. Therefore, we conducted the first investigation of hand dermatitis among 232 female, undergraduate nurses in tropical Australia using a previously validated methodology. Hand dermatitis prevalence rose from 10.8% in the first year to 27.4% by the third year and averaged 18.5% across all three grades. Pre-existing atopic dermatitis caused a 7.8-fold risk increase during logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [OR] 7.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0-21.1, P < 0.0001). Overall, this study suggests that hand dermatitis is less common among tropical Australian nursing students than their counterparts around the world. The identification of atopic dermatitis as a hand dermatitis risk factor was, however, consistent with previous research conducted in non-tropical areas.

FS07.6 Efficacy of UVB radiation versus skin protection in the prevention of hand dermatitis in baker apprentices

In‐vitro and in‐vivo data suggest the efficacy of various skin protection measures in the prevention of hand dermatitis (HD). The aims and objectives of this intervention study was to quantify the efficacy of skin protection (SP) measures and UVB hardening in the prevention of HD. SP measures were compared against UVB hardening in a controlled clinical trial of 94 apprentices. The apprentices were assigned to the intervention arms class‐wise. Baker apprentices involved in a previous follow‐up study served as an additional historic control group representing no intervention. The apprentices were interviewed and examined in a standardised way at the beginning of the vocational training and at four follow‐ups. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured at the back of the hands. Point prevalence of HD in the groups after 6 months was highest in the controls (C)(29.1%) followed by the UVB‐group (19.4%) and the SP group (13.3%). UVB hardening and SP measures were associated with a reduction in HD prevalence by 9.7%(95%CI −8.5 to 28.1) and 15.8%(95%CI −2.4 to 33.9), respectively. Unadjusted logistic regression analysis showed atopy (OR = 4.74, 95%CI 1.12–20.11, p = 0.035) and skin care (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.16–0.86, p = 0.023) to be independent risk factors. Application of SP measures reduced the OR for HD 0.8 (95%CI 0.17–3.70) and 0.33 (95%CI 0.09–1.23) fold compared to the UVB and C group, respectively. The trends in the clinical results were confirmed by statistically significant differences in TEWL values. Apprentices in the SP group consistently had a lower prevalence of HD compared to the apprentices in the UVB and C group. These trends were reinforced by statistically significant differences in TEWL levels. A multi‐centre trial is recommended to confirm the efficacy of SP measures in a larger randomised study.

FC03.5 Characteristics of wet work in nurses

Background/objectives: The health care sector is known for its high prevalence of hand dermatitis, mainly because of the high exposure to wet work in nursing activities. Wet work can be activities with wet skin and activities with glove use (skin occlusion). A prevention program to reduce wet work exposure should be based on knowledge about activities that are components of wet work. We observed the frequency and duration of skin exposures to irritants with nursing activities.Method: Duration and frequency wet work activities were assessed in parts of the health care sector: 53 randomly chosen nurses were observed during their morning shift. Hand skin exposure to water, soap/detergents and occlusion by using gloves were recorded during 112 different 8‐hour morning shifts.Results: In nursing wet work activities make up 9%(dialysis ward), 16%(regular ward) and 24%(I.C.‐unit) of the duration of one shift. On a regular ward duration of wet work is mainly divided into 34% patient washing, 31% glove use and 26% hand washing. These main wet work activities have a short exposure cycle of 1.4–3.6 minutes. Hand washing, excluding the use of hand alcohol, and patient washing (without gloves) form both one third of the frequency of wet work activities.Conclusions: Wet work activities take up a substantial portion of nursing activities and are characterised by frequent short‐term exposures. Effective prevention programs on reducing the risk of hand dermatitis in nursing should primarily focus on the high frequencies of hand washing and patient washing. Using gloves in the procedure of patient washing will reduce the frequency of exposure to water and soap with 24%, at the expense of increasing exposure to occlusion by these gloves.

Epidemiologie des beruflich bedingten Handekzems

Occupational skin diseases constitute about 30% of all occupational diseases worldwide and also in Germany. Thereby, occupational skin diseases take the leading position of all occupational diseases. About 90% of occupational skin diseases are eczemas which are usually located on the hands. According to estimates of the registers for occupational skin diseases in Northern Bavaria and the Saarland, Germany, which have been effective since 1990 and 1999, the incidence of occupational skin diseases is 6.7 and 6.8 per 10,000 full-time workers and year. Other incidence estimates from Western industrialized countries range between 5 and 19 cases per 10.000 full-time workers and year. Population-based estimates for a 1-year prevalence of hand dermatitis, which rely on an assessment by questionnaire, range between 6.7% in Germany and 8.9% in Norway. Studies, which included a skin examination for outcome assessment, e.g. revealed a point prevalence of 0.5% for cases which should be seen by a physician in a sample of 20,749 US citizens or a 1-year prevalence of 10.6% for a sample of 16,587 subjects from Sweden. According to a cross-sectional study from Denmark, school children in the age of 12 - 16 years exhibited hand eczema in 3.2% at the time of investigation and reported a 1-year prevalence of 7.3%. For the latter, the predominance of female gender was confirmed (10.1% vs. 4.6%). Epidemiological studies on occupational hand dermatitis are for several methodological reasons hardly comparable. This is due to different sample sizes and selection criteria, the use of different measures of frequency and outcome assessment including the fact that no generally accepted and validated diagnostic criteria exist. Population-based as well as studies in different occupational groups revealed a higher prevalence in women. Larger studies in food- and metal-processing industries as well as in hairdressing apprentices showed a marked increase in eczema prevalence during the 3-year period of apprenticeship. For example, prevalence of hand dermatitis increased in apprentices of food industry from East-Thuringia from 17.5% to 27.5%, in hairdressing apprentices from Northwest Germany from 12.9% to 23.9% and in apprentices of metal industry from 0 to 23%, i.e. from 8.6% to 14.1%. The latter study was performed in apprentices of the car industry and allowed to distinguish the increase in hand eczema between metalworkers (9,2% to 15.3%), blue-collar workers (8.8% to 14.1%), and white-collar workers (4.6% to 6.9%). The Prevention of Occupational Skin Disease in Hairdressers Study (POSH) clearly demonstrated that the prevalence estimates largly depend on the chosen outcome definition. For various definitions of hand eczema the prevalence at the end of apprenticeship varied between 2.7% and 23.9%. A high 3-year prevalence of 20.7% was also observed in German office workers and an expected high 1-year prevalence of 46% was reported for female cleaners from Denmark. The overall high and during apprenticeship further increasing prevalence of occupational hand dermatitis calls for intense and specific measures of prevention.

Berufsbedingte Handekzeme im Nahrungsmittelgewerbe

Im Nahrungsmittelgewerbe werden beruflich bedingte Kontaktekzeme der Hände auch in den nächsten Jahrzehnten eine wichtige Rolle spielen und große Anstrengungen in Diagnostik, Therapie und Prävention erforderlich machen. Wir haben Entstehungsdynamik, Prävalenz, Ursachen sowie Vorhersagemöglichkeiten von beruflich bedingten Handekzemen ausführlich untersucht und konnten zeigen, dass sich die Mehrzahl der beruflich bedingten Handekzeme im Nahrungsmittelgewerbe bereits in den ersten Monaten der Ausbildung manifestierten. In aller erster Linie traten irritative Kontaktekzeme auf. Nach 6 Monaten Ausbildung litten 29,1 % der Auszubildenden unter einem irritativen Kontaktekzem. 50 % der Atopiker und 30 % der Nichtatopiker waren erkrankt. Am Ende der Ausbildung wiesen 27,5 % ein irritatives Kontaktekzem auf. Die kumulative Prävalenz lag für die ersten drei Berufsjahre bei 41,3 %. Das Hautschutzverhalten der Auszubildenden war ungenügend. Endogene und exogene Risikofaktoren waren für die Entwicklung von Handekzemen verantwortlich. Bei den endogenen Risikofaktoren spielte die atopische Hautdiathese sowie anamnestische und aktuelle Hand- und Beugenekzeme eine wichtige Rolle. Geschlecht, respiratorische Atopie und Metallsensibilisierung waren nicht von Bedeutung. Bei den exogenen Risikofaktoren zeigte sich, dass berufliche Feuchtarbeit im Allgemeinen, die Kombination mehrerer Feuchtbelastungen sowie Hausbau und Renovierungsarbeiten im privaten Bereich mit einer Risikoerhöhung verbunden waren. Die Höhe der basalen TEWL-Werte ließ keine Vorhersage über das Risiko einer späteren Handekzementwicklung zu.

Prevalence and correlates of hand dermatitis among nurses in a Japanese teaching hospital.

Although hand dermatitis represents a common occupational disease among hospital nurses, epidemiologic studies of this nature are comparatively rare in Japan. We recruited a complete cross-section of nurses from a teaching hospital in central Japan. Data was gathered by means of a self-reported questionnaire, with hand dermatitis symptoms and evaluation criteria drawn from previously validated research. Participants were categorised according to their hospital department during the analysis. A total of 305 questionnaires were successfully completed and returned (response rate: 84%). There were statistically significant differences in hand dermatitis prevalence between the departments (p < 0.05), ranging from 6% in psychiatry to 48% in the surgical unit and averaging 35% across the entire group. A history of allergic disease was shown to increase the risk of hand dermatitis (odds ratio = 3.7, 95% confidence interval: 2.1 - 6.6). Washing their hands more than 15 times per work shift also increased the risk (odds ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 - 3.4). This study has shown that hand dermatitis prevalence varies among Japanese nurses depending on their hospital department, and is generally quite high when compared to other reports.

Occupational hand dermatitis in food industry apprentices: results of a 3-year follow-up cohort study.

The aim of this prospective follow-up study was to quantify the impact of hand dermatitis (HD) in bakers, confectioners and bakery shop assistants, and to investigate related risk factors. Bakers', confectioners' and bakery-shop assistants were included in a prospective follow-up study in the region of East Thuringia starting in August 1996. At the beginning of their vocational training 91 apprentices were interviewed and examined in a standardised way. Follow-up examinations and interviews were done after 6 months (n = 79), 12 months (n = 63) and at the end of the training (n = 69) after 36 months. In their case histories 3.3% (n = 3) of the apprentices reported previous HD in childhood and adolescence. The first assessment after 2 to 4 weeks of vocational training revealed HD in 17.5% (n = 16) of the individuals. At the follow-up examination after 6 months, point prevalence of HD was 29.1% (n = 23), after 12 months 27.0% (n = 17) and after 36 months 27.5% (n = 19). Mild to moderate irritant contact dermatitis was the most frequent finding. Finally, an atopic skin diathesis (> 10 points, "atopy score") (OR = 4.89; CI 95% 1.15-20.79), previous HD (OR = 41.1; CI 95% 4.99-339.13) as well as flexural dermatitis (OR = 6.8; CI 95% 1.72-27.22) proved to be predictive factors for the development of HD. No association was found to respiratory atopy (OR = 1.29; CI 95% 0.35-4.7) and metal sensitisation (OR = 1.1; CI 95% 0.29-4.35). Exogenous irritant factors did not show a strong association towards a risk increase. Wet work in general, as well as distinct occupational tasks showed only a tendency for being a risk factor for HD. However, leisure time activities, especially house building and rebuilding (OR = 5.4; CI 95% 1.05-27.81), were associated with an elevated risk. Endogenous and exogenous factors contribute to the development of HD in bakers' and confectioners' apprentices.

Dermal exposure, handwashing, and hand dermatitis in the rubber manufacturing industry.

Skin diseases, such as hand dermatitis, are thought to be a common problem in the rubber manufacturing industry, as workers are exposed to a wide range of chemicals with known irritant and sensitizing potential. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of rubber manufacturing workers (N = 202), selected from nine different rubber companies. Prevalence of hand dermatitis ("major" and "minor" dermatitis) and skin injuries was assessed on the basis of a diagnosis by a dermatologist. We investigated the possible relations between actual skin exposure, handwashing practices, and hand dermatitis. Prevalence of major hand dermatitis (7%) was comparable with that in the general population; however, minor signs of dermatitis were more common among the surveyed population (28%), as were traumata of the skin (17%). Dermal exposure to cyclohexane-soluble agents at work was related to the occurrence of major hand dermatitis, but not to the occurrence of minor hand dermatitis. Moderate and frequent handwashing especially with industrial surfactants containing scrubbing particles were found to be strongly associated with the occurrence of minor dermatitis [odds ratio = 4.27 (95% confidence interval = 0.90-20.27) and odds ratio = 6.38 (95% confidence interval = 1.33-30.17, respectively)].

History of hand eczema as risk factor in developing reactions to gloves

Objective To assess the significance of a personal history of atopy and other risk factors for UK dentists reporting an adverse reaction to natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves.Design Questionnaire survey.Intervention A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 2535 dentists of whom 1034 (group 1) had reported an adverse reaction to NRL gloves and 1501 (group 2) had not. The signs and symptoms reported by group 1 dentists were recorded.Outcome measures Logistic regression analysis was used to identify a set of risk factors that produced the most discrete model for a dentist reporting an adverse reaction to NRL gloves. Risk factors entered into the analysis were gender, years in clinical practice, exposure to gloves and a history of atopy (asthma, hay fever, eczema) or food allergy.Results Dentists with a history of eczema and hand eczema in childhood were most likely to report an adverse reaction to NRL gloves. Female dentists were more likely to develop a self-reported reaction to NRL gloves (women have a higher prevalence of hand dermatitis generally). Dentists practising for less than 10 years were at greater risk.Conclusion A personal history of atopy was a significant risk factor. Hand eczema in childhood carries the highest risk. Hand care, including correct glove selection and hand disinfection, should be taught to undergraduates. Dentists should choose a powder-free NRL glove, low in residual accelerators and latex proteins.