There are few available data about assessing
prevalence of skin diseases in different
occupations in Poland. We expected the problem
of OSDs to be rather neglected especially since
in Poland dermatoses are the fifth most common
occupational disease. Our survey showed that
healthcare workers were the most exposed
occupational group. Sixty-seven percent of
midwives, 64% of dentists, 51% of nurses and
41% of physicians reported skin disorders. About
30% of healthcare workers reported problems
with latex gloves. About 30% of metal factory
workers, 40% of food services workers, 24% of
textile factory workers, 21% of hair stylists and
beauticians and 64% of cleaners reported skin
manifestations during their time of employment,
which they thought could be work-related.
Dryness, redness, scaling and itching were the
main skin symptoms of OSDs. Only in a few
cases did die workers mention that they used skin
protection measures, creams they thought were
barrier creams.