THE EFFICACY OF A MOISTURIZER (LOCOBASE) AMONG CLEANERS AND KITCHEN ASSISTANTS DURING EVERYDAY EXPOSURE TO WATER AND DETERGENTS

Workers exposed to various irritants are widely advised to use moistur izers. To evaluate the efficacy of a moisturizer (Locobase), we studie d 111 cleaners and kitchen workers during everyday exposure to water a nd detergents. All took part in a standardized interview. After random ization, 1/2 the workers (n = 56) used Locobase during a period of 2 w eeks (period L), followed by a period without any emollient (period C) , or vice versa (n = 55). Clinical assessment and measurements of the skin surface temperature, electrical capacitance and transepidermal wa ter loss (TEWL) were performed on the fingers, hands and arms on entry to the study, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks, or at drop out. The final ev aluation showed that 70 (63%) were able to complete the study; 23 (21% ) completed period L, but withdrew from period C after a mean of 6 day s because of progressive dryness of the skin and eczema; and 12 (11%) were excluded because they used topical corticosteroids or emollients. The remaining 6 (5%) participants were lost to follow-up. Clinically, we observed a significant increase in dryness (p<0.001) during period s of no treatment (period C), and normalization of the skin texture du ring use of Locobase. Clinical observations were confirmed by statisti cally significant differences (p<0.001) in the electrical capacitance (epidermal hydration), which decreased during period C and increased t o pre-study values during period L. No significant differences were fo und in skin temperatures and TEWL rates. Analysis of the questionnaire s showed that inability to complete the study (period C) was strongly correlated with incidence of previous skin diseases (irritant and alle rgic contact dermatitis, atopy, etc.). It is concluded that cleaners a nd kitchen workers in general benefit from the use of a moisturizer du ring exposure to various irritants, and that use of a moisturizer seem s to be an absolute necessity for 1/3 of the workers.