Correlation of non-invasive psycho-physiological and skin-physiological measures.

INTRODUCTION: Psychological stress alters epidermal barrier function. While intensive studies on the underlying mechanism have been performed in mice, human studies are limited. Non-invasive skin-physiology measures have not yet been directly linked to non-invasive psycho-physiological assessments. METHODS: Standard measures of (I) transepidermal water loss prior to and after experimental barrier perturbation via tape stripping, (II) skin surface pH, (III) electrodermal activity, and (IV) heart rate function were taken over a 24 h time period. To document perceived stress, a standardized stress self-assessment questionnaire, namely the Trierer Inventar zum chronischen Stress (TICS), was utilized. RESULTS: Twenty healthy, Caucasian (Fitzpatrick skin phototype I-II), female volunteers (21-32 years, mean age 27, SD = 3.67 years) were included in this study (random sample). Significant correlations were shown for 24 h delta transepidermal water loss changes, that is, barrier repair kinetics (sympathetic activity) and heart rate variability (parasympathetic activity). Further correlations were noted for electrodermal activity and skin surface pH. Perceived stress, as documented by the TICS questionnaire, did not correlate with psycho- and skin physiological parameters, respectively. CONCLUSION: The presented approaches may provide a basis for non-invasive objective research on the correlation between psychological stressors and epidermal barrier function.

Severely compromised supply of patch test allergens in Europe hampers adequate diagnosis of occupational and non-occupational contact allergy. A European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD), European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) task forces 'Contact Dermatitis' and 'Occupational Skin Disease' position paper.

Patch testing is the only clinically applicable diagnostic method for Type IV allergy. The availability of Type IV patch test (PT) allergens in Europe, however, is currently scarce. This severely compromises adequate diagnostics of contact allergy, leading to serious consequences for the affected patients. Against this background, the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) has created a task force (TF) (i) to explore the current availability of PT substances in different member states, (ii) to highlight some of the unique characteristics of Type IV vs. other allergens and (iii) to suggest ways forward to promote and ensure availability of high-quality patch testing substances for the diagnosis of Type IV allergies throughout Europe. The suggestions of the TF on how to improve the availability of PT allergens are supported by the ESCD, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and intend to provide potential means to resolve the present medical crisis.

[Prevention and health promotion in dermatology]. / Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung in der Dermatologie.

The term prevention includes measures that are used to avoid illnesses or damage to health as well as to reduce the risk of illness or to delay its occurrence. Preventive measures can be classified based on various criteria: temporal differentiation (primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention), context (behavioral and relational prevention), and recipient (general and individual prevention). Health promotion is used when appropriate measures are intended to strengthen and increase human health potential and resources. This includes, among other things, measures to develop health-promoting behavior (empowerment) and measures regarding the planning and implementation of health-promoting behavior (participation). One goal of these measures is generally to increase health literacy. This article describes examples of prevention and health promotion measures for occupational skin cancer (counseling approach for individual sun protection for outdoor workers; "individuelle Lichtschutzberatung" [ILB]) as well as occupational hand eczema within the meaning of German occupational disease number 5101 (outpatient and inpatient individual prevention measures). These are supplemented by the example of outpatient age-adapted small group trainings for patients with atopic dermatitis according to the multicenter evaluated concept of AGNES e. V. ("Arbeitsgemeinschaft Neurodermitisschulung") and ARNE ("Arbeitsgemeinschaft Neurodermitisschulung im Erwachsenenalter"). These examples also address aspects of sustainability and digitalization (eHealth, eLearning) in the areas of prevention and health promotion.

Prevalence and incidence of hand eczema in healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are considered a high-risk group for developing hand eczema (HE), mainly owing to wet work and contact with allergens at work. To meta-analyse the prevalence and incidence of HE in HCWs, as well as mapping the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) and HE severity in HCWs. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses 2020 guidelines. Published literature from 2000 to 2022 was eligible based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 18 studies were included. Pooled life-time, 1-year and point prevalence of self-reported HE in HCWs was 33.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 28.3-38.6), 27.4% (95% CI: 19.3-36.5) and 13.5% (95% CI: 9.3-18.4), respectively. AD prevalence was 15.4% (95% CI: 11.3-19.9). Overall, the majority of HCWs reported mild HE. One included study assessed HE incidence reporting 34 cases/1000 person years. Most studies scored low-moderate using the New Ottawa Scale and the pooled point prevalence data showed broad CIs. In conclusion, the high prevalence of HE in HCWs underlines the increased risk and need for preventive measures for this professional group. There is, however, a need of further standardized high-quality studies.

Quality of patch testing patient's own material in patients with suspected occupational skin diseases throughout Germany: Interim results of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) research project FB 317b.

BACKGROUND: Due to limited availability of commercial test preparations, patch testing patient's own material (POM) is of great importance to diagnose occupational allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: To assess the quality of performance and documentation of patch testing with POM in patients with suspected occupational skin diseases (OSD) in Germany. METHODS: Retrospective-prospective analysis of protocols of patch tests with POM was conducted between 2013 and 2021 in patients with suspected OSD and submitted to statutory accident insurance institutions. Assessments were done by predefined criteria. RESULTS: Three thousand and four patch tests with POM from 460 patients were included. A full description of the POM was provided in 73.3% of all tests. The test concentration, test vehicle and pH value were documented in 74.3%, 70.5% and 42.2% of tests, for which the respective parameters were considered relevant. One hundred and sixty-one positive reactions to POM were documented. In 72%, sufficient patch testing with commercial test substances was conducted to investigate the positive reaction. In 30.4%, consecutive patch testing of all ingredients of the POM was done. CONCLUSIONS: The results not only show considerable shortcomings mainly in documentation but also to some extent performance of patch tests with POM in patients with suspected OSD in Germany.

[Skin cancer from solar ultraviolet radiation exposure at work]. / Hautkrebs durch solare Ultraviolettstrahlung am Arbeitsplatz.

Due to their professional activities, outdoor workers are exposed to an increased risk of developing occupational skin cancer caused by solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation as defined by occupational disease (OD) number 5103. Since the amendment to the Occupational Diseases Ordinance ("Berufskrankheitenverordnung", BKV) in 2015, squamous cell carcinomas or multiple actinic keratoses of the skin caused by natural UV radiation in outdoor workers in Germany can be recognized as occupational disease in the sense of OD number 5103. The main cause of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is solar UV radiation; it is the most relevant occupational carcinogen in terms of the number of exposed workers (i.e., outdoor workers). Circumstances associated with climate change include increased terrestrial UV radiation, an increase in the number of cloudless days and therefore the number of hours of direct sunshine, adverse meteorological effects to the stratospheric ozone layer, and so-called low ozone events and associated more intense UV radiation. In the future, comprehensive considerations will have to be made as to how prevention concepts can be effectively designed to avoid the development of occupational skin cancer in outdoor workers. The treatment of future cases of skin cancer will be a particular challenge due to their high number and only a limited number of dermatologists available. Hopefully, prevention of skin cancer will become even more important in the future.

Teledermatological Follow-Up Consultations in Individual Prevention of Occupational Dermatoses: A Monocentric Feasibility Study on Quality and Satisfaction by Patients and Physicians.

Teledermatology has become very popular, and not only due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Patients with occupational skin diseases (OSDs) could also benefit from teledermatology services as part of their follow-up care, but the opportunities and challenges for patients and dermatologists, especially regarding quality and satisfaction, need exploration. In this single-center feasibility study, 215 patients taking part in a tertiary prevention program for OSD were invited to participate. After obtaining consent, a follow-up video consultation appointment with the center's dermatologists was made. Quality and satisfaction with the consultations were evaluated by fully standardized online questionnaires filled in by the patients and dermatologists. A total of 68 teledermatological follow-up consultations were conducted by 10 dermatologists on 42 patients. Half of the dermatologists (50.0%) and 87.6% of the patients were satisfied with the video consultations. However, the lack of physical examination seems to be a problem, especially from the physicians' point of view (75.8%). A total of 66.1% of the dermatologists and 87.5% of the patients saw video consultations as useful supplements to face-to-face consultations. The results of our feasibility study indicate general satisfaction of patients and physicians with teledermatological sessions in occupational dermatology, especially as a useful supplement to face-to-face consultation.

Contact allergy to ingredients of hair cosmetics in female hairdressers and female consumers-An update based on IVDK data 2013-2020.

BACKGROUND: Hair cosmetic products contain several, partly potent contact allergens, including excipients like preservatives. Hand dermatitis in hairdressers is common, scalp and face dermatitis in clients or self-users (summarised here as 'consumers') may be severe. OBJECTIVE: To compare frequencies of sensitization to hair cosmetic ingredients and other selected allergens between female patch tested patients working as hairdressers and consumers without professional background, respectively, who were tested for suspected allergic contact dermatitis to such products. METHODS: Patch test and clinical data collected by the IVDK (https://www.ivdk.org) between 01/2013 and 12/2020 were descriptively analysed, focusing on age-adjusted sensitization prevalences in the two subgroups. RESULTS: Amongst the 920 hairdressers (median age: 28 years, 84% hand dermatitis) and 2321 consumers (median age: 49 years, 71.8% head/face dermatitis), sensitization to p-phenylenediamine (age-standardised prevalence: 19.7% and 31.6%, respectively) and toluene-2,5-diamine (20 and 30.8%) were most common. Contact allergy to other oxidative hair dye ingredients was also more commonly diagnosed in consumers, whereas ammonium persulphate (14.4% vs. 2.3%) and glyceryl thioglycolate (3.9 vs. 1.2%) as well as most notably methylisothiazolinone (10.5% vs. 3.1%) were more frequent allergens in hairdressers. CONCLUSIONS: Hair dyes were the most frequent sensitizers both in hairdressers and in consumers; however, as indication for patch testing may differ, prevalences cannot directly be compared. The importance of hair dye allergy is evident, often with marked coupled reactivity. Workplace and product safety need to be further improved.

[Hand eczema and statutory accident insurance-what you should know for your practice]. / Handekzem und Unfallversicherung ­ was man für die Praxis wissen sollte.

Since January 1, 2021, recognition of occupational hand eczema as an occupational disease (OD) No. 5101 has been made significantly easier by eliminating the obligation to cease and desist work in the eczema-eliciting job. As a result of this change in OD law, an occupational disease can now also be recognized if the patient continues the (eczema-eliciting) work. This results in a significantly higher liability for accident insurance companies to enable high-quality care for affected patients by the dermatologist-and this, if necessary, in the long term until retirement. The number of recognized OD No. 5101 cases has already increased tenfold (around 4000 cases per year). Work-related hand eczema must be treated as quickly as possible in order to avoid a protracted course of the disease and job loss. Accordingly, those affected should be reported quickly to the accident insurance (dermatologist's report and/or OD notification). After the notification, in addition to the granting of outpatient treatment, the reporting dermatologist has an extensive range of preventive measures available (including skin protection seminars and inpatient treatment). In addition, there are no prescription fees and even basic skin care can be prescribed ("basic therapy"). The extra-budgetary care of hand eczema as a recognized occupational disease is associated with many advantages for the dermatologist's practice and the patient.

Digitally measuring solar ultraviolet radiation in outdoor workers: A study protocol for establishing the use of electronic personal dosimeters in Portugal.

Introduction: The rising incidence of skin cancer over the years has made it a significant public and occupational health issue. However, skin cancer is highly preventable, mainly through reduced exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which can be achieved by a variety of individual and collective protective measures and interventions. The relative risk associated with different patterns of exposure to solar UVR differs for the subtypes of keratinocyte cancers (KC). Specifically, whether the exposure is intermittent or continuous, and occurs in an occupational or leisure/recreational setting. The main aim of the study using this protocol is to contribute to raising public and policy awareness on solar UVR-inflicted occupational skin cancers in Lisbon. This will be achieved by performing direct measurements of the solar UVR dose received by outdoor workers using a digital platform. Results will likely contribute to further understanding the risk estimates for keratinocyte cancer estimations in this population. Methods: A prospective observational study will be conducted in Lisbon, Portugal. Personal electronic dosimeters (GENESIS-UV system) integrated with a digital platform will be used to assess occupational solar UVR doses of gardeners, masons, and gravediggers of the municipality of Lisbon. Two hundred and ten outdoor workers will be selected to wear the dosimeter for 1 month each, between April and October during their daily working hours. A digital web-based platform that offers private access to information through dashboard visualization will provide information for the outdoor workers and facilitate communication with the participants. Discussion: The expected results of the overall proposal comprise the occupational solar UVR doses, expressed in standard erythemal dose (SEDs) per day of outdoor work for 7 months. Study data will provide outdoor workers with information on their personal solar UVR exposure during their working hours and an estimate of their risk of developing skin cancer. It is expected that the occupational solar UVR doses of the outdoor workers in Portugal will be above the threshold of 1 to 1.33 SED/day, due to the latitude of Lisbon and the nature of the occupations. The results prospectively should flow into the design of adequate prevention campaigns for skin cancer in outdoor workers.

Diagnostics and Prevention of Occupational Allergy in Hairdressers.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This study aims to provide an overview on current knowledge on occupational allergic diseases in hairdressers and up-to-date perspectives of prevention. RECENT FINDINGS: Hand eczema (dermatitis) is common in hairdressers, often caused by contact allergy to one or multiple small molecules (haptens) used, e.g., for dyeing, bleaching, and waving/relaxing or by ancillary substances such as preservatives. Hairdressers, compared to other patch-tested patients, have an up to fivefold increased risk to be found sensitized, e.g., against p-phenylenediamine, ammonium persulfate, and glyceryl thioglycolate. Some of these small molecules may induce respiratory sensitization causing allergic rhinitis and/or asthma, notably persulfate salts. Occupational hazards in hairdressing are well described. This knowledge needs to be put into use for risk reduction, mainly by substitution of allergenic ingredients by less allergenic ones, education, and use of ventilation and suitable single-use gloves.

Genotoxicity of oxidative hair dye precursors: A systematic review.

This systematic review, conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, focuses on genotoxicity of oxidative hair dye precursors. The search for original papers published from 2000 to 2021 was performed in Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane registry, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety of the European Commission and German MAK Commission opinions. Nine publications on genotoxicity of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and toluene-2,5-diamine (p-toluylenediamine; PTD) were included, reporting results of 17 assays covering main genotoxicity endpoints. PPD and PTD were positive in bacterial mutation in vitro assay, and PPD tested positive also for somatic cell mutations in the Rodent Pig-a assay in vivo. Clastogenicity of PPD and PTD was revealed by in vitro chromosomal aberration assay. The alkaline comet assay in vitro showed DNA damage after PPD exposure, which was not confirmed in vivo, where PTD exhibited positive results. PPD induced micronucleus formation in vitro, and increased micronucleus frequencies in mice erythrocytes following high dose oral exposure in vivo. Based on the results of a limited number of data from the classical genotoxicity assay battery, this systematic review indicates genotoxic potential of hair dye precursors PPD and PTD, which may present an important health concern for consumers and in particular for professional hairdressers.

Risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma due to occupational exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the most significant occupational carcinogenic exposure in terms of the number of workers exposed (i.e., outdoor workers). Consequently, solar UVR-induced skin cancers are among the most common forms of occupational malignancies that are potentially expected globally. This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021295221) and aims to assess the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) associated to occupational solar UVR exposure. Systematic searches will be performed in three electronic literature databases (PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus). Further references will be retrieved by a manual search (e.g., in grey literature databases, internet search engines, and organizational websites). We will include cohort studies and case-control studies. Risk of Bias assessment will be conducted separately for case-control and cohort studies. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) will be used for the certainty of assessment. In case quantitative pooling is not feasible, a narrative synthesis of results will be performed.

Photoprotection in occupational dermatology.

Skin cancer has become a substantial matter of public health and in the workplace, accounting for a significant share of all reported occupational diseases. The most important external factor in the development of skin cancer is exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. Outdoor workers have already been identified as a high-risk category. The need for interventions to improve the sun protection behavior of outdoor workers has recently been understood. Outdoor workers' risk perceptions and attitudes toward sun protection methods are likely to influence practical sun protection behavior at work, and despite the fact that many workers have expressed interest in improving their sun protection behavior, outdoor workers' unique needs are still neglected. Occupational dermatology is predicted to become more concerned with photoprotection in the decades ahead. Preventive action against the rapidly increasing number skin cancer cases is in great demand around the globe. In terms of preventive measures, the full range of available options should be used as needed to address the current difficulties in a goal-oriented way. This will almost certainly only be achievable if preventative efforts on a collective and individual level are successfully paired with support from policymakers to inspire long-term change.

Bleaching powders, bleaching creams and other hair lightening preparations as sources for (airborne) allergic contact dermatitis and other health effects in hairdressers: Results of an empirical study.

BACKGROUND: Various products are available for lightening hair. There are no data on which applications are actually used in hairdressing, impeding proper estimation of actual exposure and necessary preventive measures. OBJECTIVES: To assess information about availability, usage and formulation of lightening preparations in the German hairdressing trade. METHODS: A market survey was conducted and hairdressers were surveyed by online questionnaires. RESULTS: Of 783 hairdressers clicking the link, 565 hairdressers (91.2% female, mean age of 40.2 ± 11.7 years) from all German states responded (response rate: 72.2%). The questionnaire survey has shown that available hair-lightening preparations in the German hairdressing trade are (multiple selection possible): dust-free (88.5%) and non-dust-free bleaching powders (22.1%), bleaching creams (41.9%), high-lifting hair colour creams (88.8%) and normal hair colour creams (58.4%). Five hundred eighteen (91.7%) hairdressers favour lightening hair with powder. The market survey revealed that bleaching powders and creams contain potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate and sodium persulfate or combinations of these persulfate salts. CONCLUSIONS: Hairdressers are exposed to various hair-lightening applications containing different chemicals. Preventive measures need to address adverse skin and respiratory effects. Implementation of targeted health education already in early career stages (i.e., apprenticeship) seems advisable and can be maintained by refresher trainings.

Systematic review on skin adverse effects of important hazardous hair cosmetic ingredients with a focus on hairdressers.

BACKGROUND: The burden of occupational hand eczema in hairdressers is high, and (partly strong) allergens abound in the hair cosmetic products they use. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review published evidence concerning contact allergy to an indicative list of active ingredients of hair cosmetics, namely, p-phenylenediamine (PPD), toluene-2,5-diamine (PTD), persulfates, mostly ammonium persulfate (APS), glyceryl thioglycolate (GMTG), and ammonium thioglycolate (ATG), concerning the prevalence of sensitization, particularly in terms of a comparison (relative risk; RR) between hairdressers and non-hairdressers. METHODS: Following a PROSPERO-registered and published protocol, eligible literature published from 2000 to February 2021 was identified, yielding 322 publications, and extracted in standardized publication record forms, also considering risk of bias. RESULTS: Based on 141 publications, the contact allergy prevalence to PPD was 4.3% (95% CI: 3.8-4.9%) in consecutively patch tested patients. Other ingredients were mostly tested in an aimed fashion, yielding variable, and partly high contact allergy prevalences. Where possible, the RR was calculated, yielding an average increased sensitization risk in hairdressers of between 5.4 (PPD) and 3.4 (ATG). Additional evidence related to immediate-type hypersensitivity, experimental results, exposures, and information from case reports was qualitatively synthesized. CONCLUSIONS: An excess risk of contact allergy is clearly evident from the pooled published evidence from the last 20 years. This should prompt an improvement in working conditions and product safety.

Prevalence and incidence of hand eczema in healthcare workers: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare workers (HCWs) constitute a high-risk group for developing occupational hand eczema (HE). The present systematic review and meta-analysis will compile and appraise evidence regarding prevalence and incidence of HE in HCWs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Systematic searches will be performed in three electronic literature databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science-Core Collection and Embase). Further references will be retrieved by a manual search of included studies' reference lists using snowballing techniques. We will include experimental studies, observational studies, survey-based studies and clinical studies (publications in English, French and German from 2000 onwards) reporting on certified and apprentice HCWs, who actively work in the job. We will look at the following outcomes: Prevalence and incidence of clinically assessed as well as self-reported HE in the style of the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire-2002; HE severity (measured by eg, Hand Eczema Severity Index, Osnabrück Hand Eczema Severity Index, Physician Global Assessment or other validated instruments as well as self-reported or by using undefined categories such as 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe'); clinically assessed (eg, clinical diagnosis, UK Working Party's diagnostic criteria, Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis (AD)) and self-reported AD. We will assess the risk of bias within studies using detailed criteria according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. As we expect heterogeneity in methods and outcomes, we will conduct sensitivity analyses. A narrative synthesis of results instead of a meta-analysis will be done in case that quantitative pooling is not feasible. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval and patient consent are not required as this work is based on published studies. The results will be published in an international, peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022303044.

Shewanella algae bacteraemia in a patient with a chronic ulcer after contact with seawater on vacation in Turkey: A case report from a German maximum-care hospital.

After seawater baths in Antalya, Turkey, a 55-year-old man suffered from Shewanella algae bacteraemia. Imported/travel-related S. algae infections should be kept in mind, also in usually rather cold geographical areas, as patterns of seawater-associated bacilli infections might change due to warming of seawater caused by climate change.