Objective: The present study assessed the effectiveness
of skin protection as presently recommended,
especially the differential contribution
of skin care and skin protection to
the prevention of occupational hand eczema.
Material and Methods: Of the 1355 metal
workers screened, 1020 male volunteers, all
fit for work, were recruited for a prospective
intervention study with four measures (skin
care, skin protection, the two combined, and
control group, i.e., no particular measure). The
study was performed from winter 2006/2007
to spring 2008, following up each subject for
12 months. In all three times during the study
period, both hands were examined using a
quantitative skin score and a standardized
personal interview was performed. The
change of the objective skin score from baseline
at the start to its value after 12 months
was used as the primary measure of outcome.
Results: After 12 months, 800 subjects could
be included in the assessment (78.4 % of those
recruited). Compliance, the ability to follow
the randomly allocated measure, depended
on the measure in question and ranged from
73.7 % to 88.7 %. Whereas in the control group
a significant deterioration in skin score was
found, the largest (and significant) improvement
was noted in the group following the
skin protection program as it is generally recommended
(skin care and protection) followed
by skin protection alone as second best.
Conclusion: The skin protection regimen as it
is generally recommended seems to prevent
occupational skin disease effectively. Therefore,
compliance among employees, that is,
the will to follow the skin protection regimen,
especially the use of skin protection, should
be enhanced.
