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Hand Eczema and Facial Skin Problems – Association with Occupational Exposures among Community Care Personnel in Sweden : A Cross-sectional Study

Sukakul, Thanisorn LU orcid ; Hamnerius, Nils LU ; Lejding, Tina LU orcid ; Källberg, Kajsa Davidson ; Josefson, Anna ; Detlofsson, Ebba and Svedman, Cecilia LU (2025) In Acta Dermato-Venereologica 105.
Abstract

Hand eczema and facial skin problems are common occupational-related skin diseases. However, the data regarding care workers in community care settings are limited. To assess the prevalence and factors associated with hand eczema and facial skin problems among community care personnel, an online questionnaire link was sent to 10,194 personnel in Sweden, with questions regarding hygiene routines, skin problems, and demographics of the participants. Respondents were categorized into groups regarding their skin symptoms. In all, 1,923 (18.9%) responded (89.8% females; 75.9% assistant nurses and care assistants). The 1-year prevalence of hand eczema and facial skin problems was 34.7% and 45.5%, respectively. Dosedependent associations were... (More)

Hand eczema and facial skin problems are common occupational-related skin diseases. However, the data regarding care workers in community care settings are limited. To assess the prevalence and factors associated with hand eczema and facial skin problems among community care personnel, an online questionnaire link was sent to 10,194 personnel in Sweden, with questions regarding hygiene routines, skin problems, and demographics of the participants. Respondents were categorized into groups regarding their skin symptoms. In all, 1,923 (18.9%) responded (89.8% females; 75.9% assistant nurses and care assistants). The 1-year prevalence of hand eczema and facial skin problems was 34.7% and 45.5%, respectively. Dosedependent associations were found between occupational exposure to soap and water and hand eczema, and duration of face mask use and facial problems. Also, a higher perceived level of stress, female sex, atopic dermatitis, and lower age group were associated with both hand eczema and facial skin problems. In conclusion, healthcare workers in community care have an increased risk of occupationally related skin symptoms, foremost hand eczema, but also facial symptoms related to the use of face masks. Thus, efforts to reduce the harmful effects from the risk factors should be the main concern.

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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
contact dermatitis, epidemiology, face, hand eczema, handwashing, healthcare personnel
in
Acta Dermato-Venereologica
volume
105
article number
adv43771
publisher
Medical Journals Limited
external identifiers
  • scopus:105012917904
  • pmid:40753480
ISSN
0001-5555
DOI
10.2340/actadv.v105.43771
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © Author(s) 2025.
id
0a73d74c-1f03-4776-86e4-23af2dde9b42
date added to LUP
2025-12-01 12:26:21
date last changed
2025-12-02 03:34:42
@article{0a73d74c-1f03-4776-86e4-23af2dde9b42,
  abstract     = {{<p>Hand eczema and facial skin problems are common occupational-related skin diseases. However, the data regarding care workers in community care settings are limited. To assess the prevalence and factors associated with hand eczema and facial skin problems among community care personnel, an online questionnaire link was sent to 10,194 personnel in Sweden, with questions regarding hygiene routines, skin problems, and demographics of the participants. Respondents were categorized into groups regarding their skin symptoms. In all, 1,923 (18.9%) responded (89.8% females; 75.9% assistant nurses and care assistants). The 1-year prevalence of hand eczema and facial skin problems was 34.7% and 45.5%, respectively. Dosedependent associations were found between occupational exposure to soap and water and hand eczema, and duration of face mask use and facial problems. Also, a higher perceived level of stress, female sex, atopic dermatitis, and lower age group were associated with both hand eczema and facial skin problems. In conclusion, healthcare workers in community care have an increased risk of occupationally related skin symptoms, foremost hand eczema, but also facial symptoms related to the use of face masks. Thus, efforts to reduce the harmful effects from the risk factors should be the main concern.</p>}},
  author       = {{Sukakul, Thanisorn and Hamnerius, Nils and Lejding, Tina and Källberg, Kajsa Davidson and Josefson, Anna and Detlofsson, Ebba and Svedman, Cecilia}},
  issn         = {{0001-5555}},
  keywords     = {{contact dermatitis; epidemiology; face; hand eczema; handwashing; healthcare personnel}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Medical Journals Limited}},
  series       = {{Acta Dermato-Venereologica}},
  title        = {{Hand Eczema and Facial Skin Problems – Association with Occupational Exposures among Community Care Personnel in Sweden : A Cross-sectional Study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v105.43771}},
  doi          = {{10.2340/actadv.v105.43771}},
  volume       = {{105}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}