Afecciones ocupacionales de la piel en las manos, presentes en el personal de enfermería del área de neonatología

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational hand disease is the inflammation caused by the environment and exposure to harmful agents. The frequency of hand hygiene, the application of disinfectants and the use of protective clothing which contribute to its appearance. Objective: To identify the presence of occupational skin diseases on the hands, present in the nursing staff in the neonatology area by applying the Hand Eczema Severity Index instrument. Methods: Descriptive study with a quantitative approach of cross-sectional cohort, the population was 33 nurses who work at Ambato’s Regional Teaching Hospital. The instrument "Hand Eczema Severity Index" was applied to the photographs obtained from the population and a survey was carried out to identify risk factors. Results: 91% presented mild affections, 3% mild-moderate and 6% mild, moderate and severe. The clinical indications were erythema, scaling and fissures, with an extension of 25 to 50 %. The risk factors were: 100% washed their hands more than 10 times with liquid soap-chlorhexidine, they made frequent temperature fluctuations from cold to hot and humid. 73% used antiseptic gel after hand washing, 60% presented conditions due to the use of gloves. Conclusions: The occupational diseases presented by the nursing staff are: erythema, fissures and desquamation, predominantly on the back of the hands and wrists. 6% underwent through three phases: mild, moderate and severe. The risk factors were: frequent hand washing with chlorhexidine, temperature fluctuations, and the use of antiseptic gel and gloves.