Development of occupational skin diseases during vocational training in baker and confectioner apprentices: a follow‐up study

Abstract

Baker and confectioner apprentices have been included in a prospective follow-up study in the region of East Thuringia, to evaluate risk factors for the development of hand dermatitis. Starting in August 1996, the apprentices have been interviewed and examined in a standardized way right at the beginning (n=91) of their vocational training, 6 (n=79) and 12 months (n=63) later. To gain objective data, TEWL score was also assessed at 3 standardized sites on the hands. In their case histories, 3.3% (n=3) of the apprentices reported hand dermatitis. The 1st assessment after 2 to 4 weeks vocational training revealed hand eczema in 17.5% (n=16) of the individuals. At the follow-up after 6 months of training 29.1% (n=23), and after 12 month of training 27.0% (n=17), of the apprentices had hand dermatitis of mild to moderate severity. Within 6 months, the TEWL score rose significantly (p<0.001) from 11.9 g m(-2) h(-1) (-/+5.4) to 16.8 g m(-2) h(-1) (-/+9.5). After 12 months, the TEWL score was 14.9 g m(-2) h(-1) (-/+4.6). For the atopic skin diathesis (>10 points of Diepgen's atopy score), there was a significant tendency to be a predictive factor for the development of occupational hand dermatitis. TEWL score failed to correlate with the development of skin damage in our study. The same was true for respiratory atopy and metal sensitization.

Prevention of hand dermatitis in bakers' apprentices: different efficacy of skin protection measures and UVB hardening

“…For this purpose a questionnaire for bakers had been adapted from an existing questionnaire for nurses and hairdressers [4,12]. The same questionnaire was used in the previously conducted cohort study from which the control group was recruited [5,6]. The interview and examination performed in the study have been previously described in detail [6].…”

“…High loads of wet work, exposure to irritants and atopic skin diathesis have been reported to be the main risk factors for the development of OSDs [6,47]. We and others have shown that hand dermatitis seems to start early during apprenticeship [4,5,43,46], therefore preventive measures should be implemented early in vocational training at occupational schools and companies to achieve optimal efficacy [14,26,52].…”

Bakers

“…A law against the addition of potassium persulfate to flour was one of the early steps taken to prevent occupational allergic contact dermatitis (Rietschel and Fowler 1995). Bauer et al (1998) examined baker and confectioner apprentices 2-4 weeks after the start of their training period and after 6 and 12 months of training. Prior to the training period, 3.3% reported having hand eczema.…”

Impact of wet work on epidermal barrier (TEWL and stratum corneum hydration) and skin viscoelasticity in nurses

“…Jego oceny dokonywano m.in. u uczniów zawodu fryzjera (15,16), piekarza i cukiernika (17), pracowników przemysłu metalowego (18)(19)(20), przetwórstwa rybnego (21), małych zakładów gastronomicznych (22), u zatrudnionych w warunkach niskiej wilgotności powietrza (23), pracowników rafinerii metali nieszlachetnych (24) i działu wysyłkowego drukarni gazet (12). Stosunkowo często badane grupy rekrutowały się ze służby zdrowia, a w ich skład wchodziły uczennice lub studentki szkół pielęgniarskich (15,25), pielęgniarki zatrudnione na sali operacyjnej (26), pielęgniarki geriatyczne (27) czy pracownicy ośrodka neonatologicznego (28).…”

“…Takie zjawisko obserwowane było np. u uczniów zawodu piekarza i cukiernika (17), u eksponowanych na chłodziwa podczas obróbki metali (20,21), a także u pracowników rafinerii metali, noszących okluzyjne rękawice (24). Podobne obserwacje dotyczyły pielęgniarek i innych pracowników służby zdrowia.…”