ABSTRACT
Skin damage among healthcare workers has been reported by many centers around the world. Occupational hand dermatitis is one of the most commonly known occupational skin diseases and a socially significant health issue. The use of gloves is one of the risk factors for the occurrence and/or aggravation of hand dermatitis. This cross-sectional study involved healthcare workers in 14 referral hospitals for COVID-19 throughout Indonesia. Questionnaires were distributed to the participants, which consisted of the subject's characteristics, glove-related skin problems, history of glove use, and clinical history. This study involved a total of 845 healthcare workers. Approximately 156 healthcare workers (18.46%) had glove-induced hand dermatitis during the pandemic. Itchy skin was the most common symptom (44.23%), and the palm was the most frequently complained area (48.72%). There was a significant association between glove use and glove-induced hand dermatitis among healthcare workers. In particular, equal to or more than 2 hours per day of glove use was significantly associated with hand dermatitis. Glove-induced hand dermatitis also had a significant association with the subject's history of atopic dermatitis and previous history of hand dermatitis. The use of gloves by healthcare workers should be considered carefully, especially in individuals at increased risk, including those who use gloves for 2 hours or more per day and those who have a history of atopic or hand dermatitis, in order to prevent the incidence of glove-induced hand dermatitis among healthcare workers, as well as to provide a safe working environment.
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1% and 5% 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) creams compared with 90% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for the treatment of anogenital warts. we conducted a randomised controlled study in 72 subjects allocated to three groups: 1% 5-FU, 90% TCA and 5% 5-FU; 90% TCA was administered once a week, whereas 5-FU cream was applied three times a week. Response to therapy and side-effects were evaluated weekly for seven weeks. Evaluation at week 7 demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the efficacy between 1% 5-FU cream and 90% TCA (p = 0.763) or between 5% 5-FU cream and 90% TCA (p = 0.274). Subjective side-effects with 1% 5-FU were significantly milder than 90% TCA; however, significantly milder objective side-effects were observed only at weeks 2, 6 and 7. The subjective side-effects with 5% 5-FU were also significantly milder than 90% TCA; however, significantly milder objective side-effects were observed only at week 2. 5-FU may become an alternative topical therapy as it offers the benefit of self-application; furthermore, a concentration of 1% 5-FU cream is recommended due to milder side-effects.
