NHS Grampian provides skin health surveillance for healthcare workers potentially exposed to substances which may cause sensitization, allergy or irritation. Contact dermatitis is the most common form of work-related skin disease in nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Frequent exposure to soaps and cleaners, and ‘wet work’ (work involving wet hands or hand washing) account for over a quarter of all cases of work-related contact dermatitis. Other hazardous agents include rubber chemicals (e.g. carbamates, thirurams) which may be present in natural rubber latex and synthetic rubber materials; bleach and sterilisers; preservatives; fragrances and aldehydes.
Wet work is defined as long lasting or repeated contact with water – long lasting means 2 or more hours per day and repeated means washing hands more than about 20-25 times/ day – or wearing occlusive gloves for a cumulative time of 2 hrs or greater in any 24 hr period. Where an individual uses occlusive gloves and undertakes repeated hand washing or long lasting contact with water the effect will be additive.
For more information on skin sensitisers and wet work visit the HSE site: http://www.hse.gov.uk/skin/employ/highrisk/healthcare.htm