Evaluation of Skin Barrier Condition Among Physicians and Dentists

Background: Physicians and dentists are at risk for chronic hand eczema, but their skin barrier condition has rarely been investigated before.Objective: To objectively assess the skin barrier condition among physicians and dentists.Methods: This cross-sectional epidemiological study included an occupational questionnaire, medical examination of hand skin, skin transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and pH measurements, analyzed in 5 groups (N = 37 in each): physicians-nonsurgeons, physicians-surgeons, dentists-nonsurgeons, dentists-surgeons, and control group (unexposed workers).Results: Critical skin condition (TEWL >30 g/[m(2)center dot h]) was found in 14% of control workers, 14% physicians nonsurgeons, 22% physicians surgeons, 27% dentists nonsurgeons, and 43% dentists surgeons. The latter had the worst stratum corneum condition indicated by a TEWL median of 25.80 g/(m2 center dot h) (interquartile range [IQR] 19.24-34.31). Hand skin pH was highest among dentists with nonsurgical specializations, with a median of 5.33 (IQR 5.15-5.60), where 38% of them had pH >5.5. Male sex (P < 0.001) and glove use for >1 h/day (P = 0.009) were associated with elevated hand TEWL values, whereas female sex (P < 0.001) and glove use for >4 h/day with elevated pH values (P < 0.001).Conclusions: Prolonged glove usage and dental profession, especially surgical work, significantly affect the skin barrier condition. This study was the first to objectively determine skin barrier condition among dentists and physicians.