Prevention in health-care professionals

Abstract

Job-related hazards for the development of skin diseases in health care professionals are prolonged wet work, contact to potential allergens as well as infectious agents, and the exposure to ionizing radiation. Most common skin diseases resulting comprise irritant/allergic contact dermatitis, infections, and skin cancer/radiodermatitis. To avoid irritant contact dermatitis, use protective (barrier) creams and moisturizers. Infections can be prevented by hand hygiene, including hand washing and/or disinfection and the use of medical gloves. Hand disinfection is eudermic and should be the preferred method of hand hygiene. Medical gloves should protect against microorganisms and chemicals. Gloves used in the medical sector have to achieve at least an acceptance quality level (AQL) of 1.5. For prevention of skin cancer due to ionizing radiation, a continual dose monitoring, annual medical examinations, and rigorous approach to radiation protection and dose reduction are necessary. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000, 2012.