The prevention of occupational hand dermatitis in bakers, confectioners and employees in the catering trades - Preliminary results of a skin prevention program

Occupational skin diseases (OSD) are among the most frequent occupational d iseases (OD). Compared to other occupations, bakers, confectioners and empl oyees in the catering trades are at a high risk of developing OSD. In Janua ry 1999, the interdisciplinary Skin Disease Prevention Program in the Bakin g, Hotel and Catering Industries (SDPP) conducted by the Department of Derm atology and Allergology at the Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, in coop eration with the Research Center for Applied System Safety and Industrial M edicine, Erfurt, and the technical experts at the Social Insurance for the Food Industry and Related Professions (Berufsgenossenschaft fur Nahrungsmit tel und Gaststatten - (BGN)), Erfurt, was initiated. Following detailed ana lysis of the occupational exposure of the employees and their personal occu pational disease history, the patients' diagnosis and therapy was re-evalua ted and supplemented if necessary. Individual skin care and protection regi mes were demonstrated and practically trained. Skin care and protection pro ducts were supplied. Skin-care and protection seminars were offered to volu nteering participants. From January to December 1999, 29 affected employees were examined in the OSD clinic. 22 employees (76%) suffered from irritant contact dermatitis. The follow-up data of 11 employees are available. In 8 employees (73%), the skin disease improved or. disappeared. Moreover, in 1 employee (9%), the skin condition was stabilized even though he continued working. In only 2 employees (18%) did the skin condition worsen. These pre liminary results showed that most of the OSD were due to lack of or unsuita ble skin care and protection. The program will be extended to cover a large r number of food industry employees with OSD.