Self-reported skin disease in hydrotherapists working in swimming pools

Aneta Lazarov*, K. Nevo, A. Pardo, P. Froom

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)327-331
Number of pages5
JournalContact Dermatitis
Volume53
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Contact dermatitis
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Irritant contact dermatitis
  • Occupational
  • Skin disease
  • Smoking
  • Swimming pools

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