Glove use among hairdressers: difficulties in the correct use of gloves among hairdressers and the effect of education

TY - JOUR

T1 - Glove use among hairdressers

T2 - difficulties in the correct use of gloves among hairdressers and the effect of education

AU - Oreskov, Katia W

AU - Søsted, Heidi

AU - Johansen, Jeanne D

N1 - © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2015/6/1

Y1 - 2015/6/1

N2 - Summary Background Hand eczema is frequent among Danish hairdressers, and they are advised to use gloves as protection. However, studies indicate that a significant proportion use gloves inappropriately. Objectives To determine whether hairdressers and apprentices use protective gloves in the correct way, and to determine whether a demonstration of correct use could cause an improvement. Methods Forty-three hairdressers and apprentices were asked to perform a hair wash while wearing gloves. The shampoo used was contaminated with an ultraviolet (UV) trace material. Two rounds of hair washing were carried out by each person, interrupted by a demonstration of how to use gloves correctly. Photographs were taken to compare UV contamination before and after the demonstration. Results All of the participants (100%) had their hands contaminated during the first round; the area ranged between 0.02 and 101.37 cm2 (median 3.62 cm2). In the second round, 55.8% were contaminated (range 0.00-3.08 cm2; median 0.01 cm2). The reduction in contaminated skin areas was statistically significant (p < 0.001), proving an effect of the glove demonstration. There were no significant differences between hairdressers and apprentices. Conclusions Hairdressers and apprentices lack knowledge on how to handle gloves correctly. A short demonstration of correct glove use made a significant difference in the skin protection provided by gloves.

AB - Summary Background Hand eczema is frequent among Danish hairdressers, and they are advised to use gloves as protection. However, studies indicate that a significant proportion use gloves inappropriately. Objectives To determine whether hairdressers and apprentices use protective gloves in the correct way, and to determine whether a demonstration of correct use could cause an improvement. Methods Forty-three hairdressers and apprentices were asked to perform a hair wash while wearing gloves. The shampoo used was contaminated with an ultraviolet (UV) trace material. Two rounds of hair washing were carried out by each person, interrupted by a demonstration of how to use gloves correctly. Photographs were taken to compare UV contamination before and after the demonstration. Results All of the participants (100%) had their hands contaminated during the first round; the area ranged between 0.02 and 101.37 cm2 (median 3.62 cm2). In the second round, 55.8% were contaminated (range 0.00-3.08 cm2; median 0.01 cm2). The reduction in contaminated skin areas was statistically significant (p < 0.001), proving an effect of the glove demonstration. There were no significant differences between hairdressers and apprentices. Conclusions Hairdressers and apprentices lack knowledge on how to handle gloves correctly. A short demonstration of correct glove use made a significant difference in the skin protection provided by gloves.

KW - Adult

KW - Barbering

KW - Cross-Over Studies

KW - Denmark

KW - Dermatitis, Contact

KW - Dermatitis, Occupational

KW - Female

KW - Gloves, Protective

KW - Hand Dermatoses

KW - Health Promotion

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Occupational Exposure

KW - Patient Education as Topic

KW - Young Adult

U2 - 10.1111/cod.12336

DO - 10.1111/cod.12336

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25817606

SN - 0105-1873

VL - 72

SP - 362

EP - 366

JO - Contact Dermatitis

JF - Contact Dermatitis

IS - 6

ER -