INTERVIEW Occupational Safety and Hand Hygiene Therapy while you sleep! Professor John, according to your publications, skin diseases - dermatoses - are among the most common occupational diseases. About a third of all work-related illnesses in the EU and the US affect the skin alone. Why is that? Many of those affected work in the healthcare sector. They should know how to protect their skin, shouldn‘t they? There are occupations where the typical activities put people at significantly increased risk of skin diseases. These include jobs in the healthcare sector. Nurses are particularly at risk. Studies of nurses and geriatric nurses have shown a point prevalence of around 20%. This means that one in five has an occupational skin disease. For example, the number of times hands are washed with soap each day is a significant risk factor for occupational dermatoses. Another important risk factor is the length of time disposable gloves are worn. Both are common in the healthcare sector. The longer disposable gloves Professor Dr Swen Malte John is Head of the Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Osnabrück, Chairman of the Task Force Occupational Skin Diseases of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and Scientific Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatology Prevention and Rehabilitation (iDerm) in Osnabrück, Germany. are worn during work, the greater the likelihood of developing skin disease. The same goes for washing your hands with soap: the more often you wash your hands, the more likely you are to develop eczema, an inflammatory skin condition. However, it is also important to note that many health care professionals perceive their occupational eczema as an inevitable consequence of their professional duties, a perception that is often accompanied by the belief that they are performing their duties in the correct manner. This is a mistake. Damaged hands are not part of the job! Nor are they a sign of commitment. Who is generally at increased risk and should pay attention to skin care and protection? Around 30 to 40% of the population possess sensitive skin, a condition that is attributable to their genetic make-up. Only untreated skin diseases are incurable! 18
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