Abstract
A new protective agent named “Handcare” (S-7990E) for the skin of the patients suffering from occupational contact dermatitis was evaluated with 14 occupational dermatosis and contact dermatitis patients. It was used several times a day while the patients worked by making a rapid membrane of acrylate over the entire skin surface of the patients’ fingers, hands and arms. Antisymptomatic treatments with corticosteroids and urea ointments were also used at the same time. The usage of Handcare for periods ranging from two weeks to 11 months resulted in a remarkable improvement in 4, and improvement in 7 patients. Therefore, a total of 11 out of 14 patients showed improvement with the rate of effectiveness at 79%. No side effects were observed. Consequently, Handcare was judged to be an effective treatment for occupational dermatoses which cannot be cured with antisymptomatic treatment alone. However, its effect was not considered sufficient for hairdressers who proved to be strongly sensitized to PPDA, and the other additional treatments are regarded as necessary.
