Self-reported skin disease in hydrotherapists working in swimming pools

• Published in: Contact dermatitis 2005-12, Vol.53 (6), p.327-331
• Main Authors: Lazarov, Aneta, Nevo, K., Pardo, A., Froom, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Allergic diseases; Biological and medical sciences; contact dermatitis; Dermatitis, Occupational - etiology; Erythema - etiology; Female; Humans; Hydrotherapy; Immersion - adverse effects; Immunopathology; Interviews as Topic; irritant contact dermatitis; Logistic Models; Male; Medical sciences; Nail Diseases - etiology; occupational; Pruritus - etiology; Sick Leave - statistics & numerical data; Skin allergic diseases. Stinging insect allergies; skin disease; Sleep Wake Disorders - etiology; smoking; Smoking - adverse effects; Smoking - epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Swimming Pools; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0105-1873; 1600-0536
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0105-1873.2005.00699.x

The aim of our study was to investigate the risk and characteristics of self‐reported skin diseases among hydrotherapists. We attempted to contact 400 adults who participated in 1 of 2 training courses. 248 were reached and 190 of them (76.6%) completed the questionnaires. The data were collected by means of a telephone interview and a detailed questionnaire sent by mail. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, univariate and multifactorial analysis. Of those completing the questionnaire (75.8% females and 24.2% males), 44.4% of the hydrotherapists reported on the development of skin disease for the first time after the beginning of work at the swimming pool. The most common symptoms included pruritus and erythematous patches affecting mainly the extremities and trunk. Both smoking and increased exposure hours to pool water were independently associated with skin disease, suggesting a dose–response relationship. We conclude that contact dermatitis should be recognized as an occupational disease in hydrotherapists.