Protective Creams Research Articles

Current acceptance and implementation of preventive strategies for occupational hand eczema in 1355 metalworkers in Germany

The effectiveness of a skin care programme is based mainly on the effectiveness of the products used and the frequency and diligence of the application of skin care products. The present cross-sectional study was aimed at evaluating the implementation and acceptance of generally recommended skin protective means at the workplace. We included in our study 1355 metalworkers, employed in 19 factories, mainly of small or medium-size. The majority of participants were male (96.7%, n = 1310). The investigation included a standardized interview and a dermatological examination of the hands. More than half of all participants (52.4%) had suffered from skin problems of the hands at some time. Three hundred and ninety-six subjects (29%) indicated they followed the skin protection regimen as it was generally recommended, i.e. the use of barrier creams in combination with moisturizers. A similar number of participants (28%) denied any use of protective creams. In general, compliance in men was significantly poorer than in women. Participants with past or present history of hand eczema used both barrier creams and moisturizers significantly more often. The skin condition of the hands, examined using a quantitative score, did not differ significantly in the four subgroups defined by different skin protection measures. While acceptance of protective measures was limited, these were available in all factories. Although barrier creams and moisturizers are highly recommended as effective means to prevent irritant contact dermatitis in Germany, our data prove that the compliance of application in this group at special risk for hand eczema is extremely low.

Effectiveness of skin protection creams in the prevention of occupational dermatitis: results of a randomized, controlled trial

The aim of the trial was to investigate whether the publicized effects of skin protection creams can be replicated in a real occupational setting during activities that expose the skin. A prospective, randomized, four-tailed controlled pilot trial was performed to compare the effect of skin protection and skin care alone or in combination with cleansing against a control group (only cleansing). Two branches were selected for the investigation: the building industry and the timber industry. A total of 1,006 workers from these two branches were recruited, and out of these 485 workers were examined longitudinally for at least three time points over 1 year (lost for follow-up: 430 workers, exclusion: 91 workers). At each time point, as a primary outcome measure, we assessed the condition of the skin at both hands in a blinded manner and the individual was assigned to one of the following categories: no eczema, mild, moderate and severe eczema. As a secondary outcome measure, the worker's transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured under standardized conditions at the back of both hands. In addition, the workers were asked to evaluate their skin condition during the study. With regard to differences in the occurrence of eczemas, we found only in workers in building industry without application of skin protection or skin care creams a statistical significant increase in the incidence between the first and the second visit and a statistical significant decrease in the incidence between the second and third visit. When evaluating the secondary outcome-measurement changes in the TEWL values, an improvement was found for the group skin protection and skin care in combination and by skin care alone. Females in the timber industry started with better TEWL values than males, which may be due to better overall skin care. In this group we found an improvement for the group skin protection and skin care in combination and by skin protection alone. For skin protection alone, we noted a slight, but not significant improvement in all other groups. The subjective improvement of skin condition was reported from the participants who used skin protection and skin care in combination. Taking all these secondary-outcome measurements together, the main result of this study was that skin protection creams alone have a small effect on the skin barrier in workers in the building and timber industries compared with skin care alone or in combination with skin protection.

Occupational contact allergy to formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers

Formaldehyde allergy is common and usually derives from formaldehyde-releasing biocides in cosmetic and other products. To analyse patterns of patch test reactions to formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing compounds and the sources of sensitization. At the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, we screened the patch test files for allergic reactions to formaldehyde and 12 formaldehyde-releasing compounds. All patients with contact allergy to any of the substances were included, and their records were reviewed. Between January 2001 and May 2007, we had patch tested 81 patients with formaldehyde allergy and 18 with independent allergy to some formaldehyde releaser. Of the formaldehyde allergies, 60 were new sensitizations, 25 of which were considered to be occupational. The most common source of occupational sensitization was metalworking fluids followed by creams and related products. Exposure to formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in liquid soaps and other rinse-off products was common in both occupational and non-occupational cases. Reactions to formaldehyde-releasing compounds were seen in 79% of the formaldehyde-allergic patients. Occupational formaldehyde allergy was common and occurred in metalworkers, hairdressers, masseurs, and workers using protective creams, detergents, and liquid soaps. When compared with studies on general dermatological patients, contact allergy to formaldehyde releasers without formaldehyde allergy was rare.

Lack of correlation between minimal erythema dose and skin phototype in a colombian scholar population

Sun exposure and skin phototype are the most relevant risk factors for skin cancer. Colombia has high levels of ultraviolet radiation during the whole year, therefore, both, high UVI's and outdoor worker's daily activities, in our country are very important risk factors for the development of cutaneous cancer. To date no study has evaluated the usefulness of Fitzpatrick's skin phototype classification in Colombians and its correlation with the minimal erythema dose (MED) and constitutional skin color. Such information is gaining importance in other nations due to the fact that several country's population is becoming more ethnically diverse. To determine the skin phototype, accumulated sun exposure, sun protection behavior, MED and phenotype in a Colombian school population. Last year high school students from the western Antioquia were invited to participate by phone and letter through their respective school directors. A self-questionnaire was handled to each student. A representative sample of the universe was selected for a medical examination by a dermatologist in order to validate the results of the self-questionnaire. The constitutional skin color was determined with the chromameter CR 300 Minolta. The MED was defined as the minimal dose of UVB being able to induce erythema 24 h later. Eight schools of the area agreed to participate in the study, and a total of 911 students (58% girls and 42% boys) filled-out the self-questionnaire. Sun exposure in the majority of individuals was in a level between moderate and very high. Ninety percent of students do not use any sun protection device or cream. Only a 50% of concordance between self-assessed skin phototype vs. medical skin phototype was found, and the highest concordance corresponded to skin phototype II (82%). There was a marked difference in skin photosensitivity of Colombians compared with reports in Caucasians. We observed a marked overlapping in MED's and L* values in phototypes II and III. The Fitzpatrick's classification was not useful in Hispanic populations such as ours. Therefore, a new skin-phototype classification system is required. In our population the constitutional color was a good predictor of the MED but it did not correlate with skin phototype. The self-assessed questionnaire method was not useful to determine skin cancer risk in our population. The majority of this population has light skin phototypes and is highly exposed to solar UV radiation without proper protection.

Influence of Microparticles on the Homogeneity of Distribution of Topically Applied Substances

The uppermost layer of the skin – the stratum corneum – represents a barrier of the human organism to the environment. It prevents the penetration of substances coming into contact with the skin into the human body. In cases of strong exposure, the skin has to be protected additionally by barrier creams. In the present study, the influence of microparticles on the homogeneity of distribution of the protection cream on the skin was investigated by laser scanning microscopy. The protection cream contained antioxidant substances with a high radical protection factor for the prevention of palmar-plantar erythema often occurring during chemotherapy with doxorubicin. In this case, the chemotherapeutic substance comes out with the sweat onto the skin surface, from which it penetrates into the skin like topically applied. It was found that particles increase the homogeneity of distribution and, thus, the protection efficacy is significantly increased. The obtained results are important, not only for the prevention of side effects during chemotherapy, but also for the development and application of sunscreens and all types of topically applied drugs and cosmetics, which should form an efficient protection film on the skin.

Skin protection creams in medical settings: successful or evil?

BackgroundChronic exposure to mild irritants including cleansing and antiseptic products used for hand hygiene generates insults to the skin. To avoid unpleasant reactions, skin protection creams are commonly employed, but some fail to afford protection against a variety of xenobiotics. In this study, two skin protection creams were assayed comparatively looking for a protective effect if any against a liquid soap and an alcohol-based gel designed for hand hygiene in medical settings.MethodsCorneosurfametry and corneoxenometry are two in vitro bioessays which were selected for their good reproducibility, sensitivity and ease of use. A Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test followed by the Dunn test was realized to compare series of data obtained.ResultsSignificant differences in efficacy were obtained between the two assayed skin protection creams. One of the two tested creams showed a real protective effect against mild irritants, but the other tested cream presented an irritant potential in its application with mild irritants.ConclusionThe differences observed for the two tested skin protection creams were probably due to their galenic composition and their possible interactions with the offending products. As a result, the present in vitro bioassays showed contrasted effects of the creams corresponding to either a protective or an irritant effect on human stratum corneum.

Intelligent sensory evaluation of industrial products for exploiting consumer's preference

This paper presents an intelligent technique based method for analyzing and interpreting sensory data provided by consumers and experts in order to predict consumer's preference on industrial products. In this study, we first introduce the concept of equilibrium consumption for estimating consumer's data variation between two different samples. This method can effectively solve the multi-peaks problem and the order correlation problem existing in consumer's data. According to the degree of consistency of data variation, we define the dissimilarities or distances between different evaluation terms used by consumers. Based on these dissimilarities, we develop a procedure for interpreting consumer's terms using normalized expert's evaluation terms. This procedure can also be used for predicting consumer's evaluation and preference from expert's evaluation on a collection of industrial products. The effectiveness of this method has been validated in one collection of cosmetic protection creams.

Contact dermatitis: epidemiology and frequent sensitizers to cosmetics

Contact dermatitis is defined as a pattern of inflammatory response that may occur as a result of contact with external factors. The two most common causes are irritants and allergens. Very few reliable data on prevalence and incidence of contact dermatitis exist, and data from the few studies that have been carried out cannot be compared because of differences in methodology. Occupational contact dermatitis constitutes up to 30% of all occupational diseases for which compensation is payable and affects sufferers' home and social lives as well as their working lives. Patients can be advised about the use of personal protective equipment and creams and emollients to avoid or ameliorate their condition, but there is little epidemiological evidence for their efficacy. Patch testing, using the European Standard Series of Allergens, is necessary to determine which agent is responsible for the condition. Fragrances and preservatives used in cosmetics are among the most common allergens in contact allergic dermatitis, although the frequency of contact allergy in the general population is small. It is to be hoped that the European Dermato-Epidemiology Network Fragrance Study will go some way to addressing the need for a large population-based epidemiological study in order that public health organizations can give reliable advice about avoiding and treating contact dermatitis.

Formulation of a topical sun protection cream for people with albinism

The aim of this investigation was to design and develop a sun protection product for people with albinism that is affordable, applicable to their specific skin condition, and provide them with the maximum sun protection possible. To achieve the required Sun Protection Factor value of > 20, simple creams were combined with very fine inorganic oxides (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) and organic sunscreen filters (2-ethylhexyl cinnamate and octyl methoxycinnamate). These combinations also ensured high UV A /UV B protection ratios. The physical stability and change in Sun Protection Factor were for products stored for 8 weeks at 25°C (60% RH) and 45°C (75% RH) were also determined. Hypoallergenic and physically stable product(s) were formulated with SPF values between 20 to 30 and UV A /UV B ratios above 0.8 by combining simple cream formulations with fine particle inorganic oxides and organic UV protection agents. This approach offered an opportunity to formulate broad-spectrum sunscreen products that met the needs of albinos. Keywords : sun protection cream, sun protection factor, albinism The East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 7(3) 2006: 60-64

Les ordonnances de prévention des dermatoses professionnelles : mise en place et suivi

A well-organized and structured prevention program is an essential step in the care of individuals with occupational irritant or allergic dermatitis. It involves first the physician who is going to make the diagnosis; it then involves the occupational medicine physician who is the only one that can follow the worker in the workplace. For each profession, or even better, for each job within in a profession, validated, written, practical rules should be on hand. We have prepared a CD that provides answers to most of the questions that would be asked by a patient and by the physician responsible for prevention: movements to be avoided, availability of gloves and protective creams for tasks to be carried out, non-traumatizing methods of cleansing, the most appropriate measures to take after work, allergens to avoid, etc. A reminder of the regulations and the responsibility of the employer are essential.

The Effect of Sun Exposure in Determining Nevus Density in UK Adolescent Twins

We report a study of 221 teenage twin pairs to examine the genetic and environmental determinants of nevi representing the most potent phenotypic risk factor for melanoma. Our published heritability analysis estimated that nevi are mainly genetically determined. In this paper we examine the role of sun exposure. We report a correlation between nevus density and sun exposure, particularly that acquired in hotter countries than in the UK (mean nevus density 41 per m2 in those in the highest quartile of exposure vs 24 per m2 in those with no exposure, p<0.0001). We were not able to demonstrate a protective effect for either sun protection cream or shirt wearing. By including phenotypic variables and reported sun exposure into the heritability analysis, we conclude that 66% of the total variance of nevus count is attributable to genetic effects: 7% associated to eye color, 6% to hair color, and 1% to reported skin type, which leaves 52% as to yet unidentified genetic factors. Of the 25% of variation attributable to environmental influences, one-third is estimated to be because of sun exposure on hot holidays.

Occupational skin cancers

Skin cancer due to occupation is more common than is generally recognized, although it is difficult to obtain an accurate estimate of its prevalence. Over the past two centuries, occupational skin cancers have particularly been due to industrial exposure of men (it seems more so than women) to chemical carcinogens such as polycyclic hydrocarbons (e.g. from coal tar products) or to arsenic. Industrial processes have improved in most Western countries to limit this type of exposure, but those with outdoor occupations are still exposed to solar ultraviolet irradiation without this being widely recognized as an industrial hazard. Ionizing radiation such as X-rays can also cause skin cancer. Occupational skin cancers often resemble skin tumours found in non-occupational subjects, e.g. basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, but some pre-malignant lesions can be more specific and point to an occupational origin, e.g. tar keratoses or arsenical keratoses. An uncommon but well-recognized cause of occupational skin cancer is that which results from scar formation following an industrial burn. In the future it will be necessary to focus on preventative measures, e.g. for outdoor workers, the need to cover up in the sun and use sun protective creams and a campaign for earlier recognition of skin cancers, which are usually curable if treated in their early stages.

Using Skin Models to Assess the Effects of a Protection Cream on Skin Barrier Function

Background: There is a basic necessity to understand the mechanisms of the protective effects of emulsions. This would promote the development of protective cosmetics and therefore improve the prevention and treatment of occupational skin diseases. However, for such studies, no reliable skin model is available. Objective: An in vitro skin model test was developed to evaluate the protective mechanism of cosmetic ingredients. Methods: The efficacy of three products was assessed by an in vivo test (Repetitive Occlusive Irritation Test) and then 3-dimensional skin model tests were carried out. Results: In vivo test results demonstrate that the best protection against sodium dodecyl sulphate is offered by a multiple emulsion. In the case of a skin model test, sodium dodecyl sulphate led to cell damage, an increase in pro-inflammatory markers and some barrier lipids. The multiple emulsion increased the content of skin lipids, without inducing irritation or cell death. Conclusion: Skin models react similarly to sodium dodecyl sulphate compared to human skin and therefore they are suitable to study barrier repair after sodium dodecyl sulphate damage. It is likely that the superior protective effect of the multiple emulsion in vivo is based on the increased amount of skin barrier lipids.

Skin care of the newborn infant

Few care practices in infancy have shown more variability over the years than the first bath and subsequent care of the skin. Pennoyer and Sullivan reported on their experience with “dry care,” a technique practiced at the St Louis Maternity Hospital. The practice of dry care allowed the coating of vernix caseosa to remain on the skin after birth regardless of the length of hospitalization. Blood and debris were removed from the head and face in the delivery room using warm oil and any remaining vernix removed from skin creases with a moist cotton ball at 24 hours. Advocates of dry care suggested vernix acted as a kind of protective vanishing cream. This care practice was not associated with any infectious outbreak but sporadic cases of impetigo due to Staphylococcus aureus were noted, particularly in the infants of private mothers whose hospital stays were, in general, 10 days!

Occupational skin-protection products--a review.

Skin-protection products are used in the occupational field to protect the skin against hazards from the workplace. They are only to be used for non-toxic, non-cancerogenous and non-sensitizing low-grade irritants such as water, detergents, and cutting fluids and cannot replace other protective measures such as gloves. The recommendation of products mainly focuses on the physico-chemical properties of the irritant and the protective cream. More in vivo studies and intervention studies are needed to prove the efficacy of skin-protection products under real-life conditions.

Effectiveness of skin protection creams as a preventive measure in occupational dermatitis: a critical update according to criteria of evidence-based medicine.

This study attempts to assess the evidence of the generally recommended three-step programme of skin protection in the prevention of occupational skin disease. The following clinical questions, representative of critical appraisal of this preventive measurement, were generated: (1) Can a skincare regimen effectively reduce or eliminate work-related poor skin conditions? (2) Do protective creams prevent harmful substances from penetrating and adhering to the skin? (3) Is the differentiation between pre-exposure and post-exposure products justified by reliable data? Answers were generated according to the method used in evidence-based medicine by searching the literature, critically appraising the results and applying the results to the clinical questions. For our search we decided to use PubMed as the most convenient access to Medline and because, in contrast to other databases, this access is available free of charge. To investigate the efficacy of barrier creams as pre-exposure skin protectors various in vitro and in vivo test methods have been developed. Over the past years the test techniques have been improved in order to adopt a real workplace situation. Efforts for standardisation of evaluation criteria have been made, too. Nevertheless, there is a lack of placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trials evaluating the benefit of these products in the prevention of occupational contact dermatitis under real workplace conditions. The literature data are conflicting; some publications report on the positive aspects of skin protection, whereas others stress the negative ones. Not enough data have been accumulated for one to prove the benefit of skin protection measures under real workplace condition. Up to now, it is almost unclear if the various in vitro and in vivo methods used are suitable to simulate real workplace conditions and if these test results can be related to real occupational exposure. For the evidence-based recommendation of skin protection, further studies, especially under daily working conditions evaluating the contribution of each single element of skincare programme (products, frequency of application and education programme) are needed.

PAKAIAN SEBAGAI PELINDUNG SURYA

ABSTRACT Although sunlight is of much benefit for live, it has an adverse effects on human skin. The effects of sunlight can be controlled by using protective cream or reducing the exposure to sunlight. Appropiate design clothes and correct protective factorsare part of efforts can prevent all spectrum of UV rays. The clothes’s protective nature depend on it’s fibre’s struvture, colour, waterproof properties, as well as it’s refine processes. Personal protection towards Ultraviolet radiation can be further supported by wearing a big cap, using an umbrella, being under a shade, using appropriate protective clothes and avoiding the sunlight between 10.00 am until 04.00 pm. The above steps should be initiated at an children. In every country including Indonesia, there should be standarritation and regulation concering protective steps towards sunlight.

Nachweis der Wirksamkeit eines integrativen Hautschutzprogramms

Occupational skin care is composed of application of a protective cream before work, mild skin cleaning and application of a skin care product (moisturizer) after work. However, the efficacy of an integrated skin care program as described has not been scientifically evaluated. In the present study, the efficacy of protective cream (Excipial Protect®), of a skin cleaning product (Excipial Clean) and a skin care cream (Excipial Repair) on the cumulative irritation by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was assessed in healthy volunteers. The products were tested alone and in combination. The irritation was assessed clinically and by non-invasive methods (transepidermal water loss, capacitance, and erythema). Our results show a statistically significant reduction of SLS irritation by combined application of the protective cream and the skin cleanser, and by combined application of the protective cream, the skin cleanser, and the skin care cream. The combined application of the skin cleanser and the skin care cream, however, did not reduce SLS irritation. The improvement of the skin capacitance as indicator of stratum corneum moisture by the combination of the protective cream, the skin cleanser, and the skin care cream was more effective than by the single products. In conclusion, we could show the efficacy of an integrated skin care concept in the prevention of cumulative irritant dermatitis for the first time. The application of the protective cream seems to be the most important step. The additional application of a rehydrating cleanser and of a regenerating skin care cream enhance the positive effect on the epidermal barrier by improvement of stratum corneum hydratation.

The tandem repeated irritation test: a new method to assess prevention of irritant combination damage to the skin.

The effect of a protective cream was tested in a new tandem repeated irritation test with tandem application of 0.5% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and undiluted toluene. The irritants were applied twice daily for 30 min to the ventral forearms of 20 volunteers. Irritant cutaneous reactions were quantified by a visual score, transepidermal water loss, chromametry and skin capacitance. Concurrent application of SLS/toluene induced stronger reactions than those caused by twice daily application of each irritant on its own. A protective effect of the protective cream was obtained against all treatment combinations and was significant for SLS/SLS (p < or = 0.01) and SLS/ toluene (p < or = 0.05). Our results indicate that the tandem repetitive irritation test has great potential in the evaluation of skin care products to prevent irritant contact dermatitis.

Influence of the Galenic Form of a Skin-Protective Preparation on the Application Pattern Assessed by a Fluorescence Method

The efficacy of skin-protective preparations is still under debate. One aspect of efficient skin protection is dependent on the quality of application concerning the homogenous distribution of the skin-protective products. The periungual areas, the finger webs and tips are known to be frequently incompletely covered when a protective cream is applied. In a randomized study, a protective mousse and a standard commercially available protective cream were compared regarding their application adequacy and cosmetic acceptance. Thus, 2 groups of 50 subjects with healthy skin were recruited for a typical application of the cream or the mousse. Distribution was examined under long-wave UV light. Additionally, the cosmetic acceptance of both products was studied by means of a questionnaire. Results showed significant differences between the mousse and the cream. The mousse proved better coverage, particularly in the problem fields. Our results showed that a mousse can offer advantages in skin protection by virtue of its better distribution and acceptance.