ABSTRACT
Most cases of male prepubertal gynecomastia are classified as idiopathic. We investigated possible causes of gynecomastia in three prepubertal boys who were otherwise healthy and had normal serum concentrations of endogenous steroids. In all three boys, gynecomastia coincided with the topical application of products that contained lavender and tea tree oils. Gynecomastia resolved in each patient shortly after the use of products containing these oils was discontinued. Furthermore, studies in human cell lines indicated that the two oils had estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities. We conclude that repeated topical exposure to lavender and tea tree oils probably caused prepubertal gynecomastia in these boys.
Subject(s)
Androgen Antagonists/pharmacology , Gynecomastia/chemically induced , Oils, Volatile/adverse effects , Plant Oils/adverse effects , Tea Tree Oil/adverse effects , Breast Neoplasms , Cathepsin D/biosynthesis , Cathepsin D/genetics , Cells, Cultured/drug effects , Child , Child, Preschool , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Genes, myc/drug effects , Humans , Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 , Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins/biosynthesis , Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins/genetics , Lavandula , Male , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Plant Oils/pharmacology , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , Receptors, Estrogen/drug effects , Tea Tree Oil/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Hand hygiene is a key element in preventing the transmission of cold and flu viruses. The authors conducted an experimental-control design study in 4 campus residence halls to determine whether a message campaign about hand hygiene and the availability of gel hand sanitizer could decrease cold and flu illness and school and work absenteeism. Their findings indicate that students who were exposed to the message campaign and provided with gel hand sanitizer increased their knowledge about the potential health benefits of hand washing and sanitizer use; they reported higher rates of hand washing and using sanitizer than did the control group. These students also experienced fewer cold and flu illnesses during the study than those in the control group and missed fewer class or work engagements because of colds or flu. Conducting a health promotion campaign in residence halls may therefore help prevent colds and flu and decrease absenteeism on university campuses.
Subject(s)
Hand Disinfection/methods , Health Education/methods , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Respiratory Tract Infections/prevention & control , Student Health Services/standards , Students/statistics & numerical data , Absenteeism , Adult , Colorado/epidemiology , Disinfectants , Female , Gels , Health Promotion/methods , Humans , Hygiene , Incidence , Male , Reproducibility of Results , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Students/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Several studies have indicated a connection between hand sanitization and infection control in numerous settings such as extended care facilities, schools, and hospitals. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of both a hand-hygiene message campaign and the use of an alcohol gel hand sanitizer in decreasing the incidence of upper-respiratory illness among students living in university residence halls. METHOD: This study involved a total of 430 students recruited from 4 residence halls during the fall semester at the University of Colorado at the Boulder campus. Dormitories were paired into control and product groups. In the product groups, alcohol gel hand-sanitizer dispensers were installed in every room, bathroom, and dining hall. The data were statistically analyzed for the differences between product and control groups in reported symptoms, illness rates, and absenteeism from classes. RESULTS: The overall increase in hand-hygiene behavior and reduction in symptoms, illness rates, and absenteeism between the product group and control group was statistically significant. Reductions in upper respiratory-illness symptoms ranged from 14.8% to 39.9%. Total improvement in illness rate was 20%. The product group had 43% less missed school/work days. CONCLUSION: Hand-hygiene practices were improved with increased frequency of handwashing through increasing awareness of the importance of hand hygiene, and the use of alcohol gel hand sanitizer in university dormitories. This resulted in fewer upper respiratory-illness symptoms, lower illness rates, and lower absenteeism.
