Our hands are vulnerable to all sorts of challenges that can make them sore – the cold, wind, humidity, UV rays, detergents - and that’s before we even count exposures in the workplace. Nursing staff are exposed daily to a cocktail of substances at work which can irritate the skin or lead to allergic reactions. From accelerators in gloves to chlorine-based cleaning chemicals, our hands are in the firing line.
Even repeated and prolonged contact with water (e.g. more than 20 hand washes a day) can cause dermatitis (HSE 2024).
It’s unsurprising that nursing staff have a high rate of work-related dermatitis. The latest work-related skin disease statistics for occupational dermatitis show that ‘human health and social work activities’ accounted for more total cases during 2020-22 (41%) than during 2010-19 (30%), this increase being driven by the coronavirus pandemic (HSE 2023).
It’s unsurprising that nursing staff have a high rate of work-related dermatitis. The latest work-related skin disease statistics for occupational dermatitis show that ‘human health and social work activities’ accounted for more total cases during 2020-22 (41%) than during 2010-19 (30%), this increase being driven by the coronavirus pandemic (HSE 2023).
Work related dermatitis may not sound like a big deal, but it can have a huge impact on individuals’ ability to perform hand hygiene and their wellbeing. When the skin’s barrier on the hand becomes inflamed and starts to break down, it’s not only extremely painful, but there’s also a real risk of cross infection. Nursing staff may need to be removed from clinical duty while the skin heals and, in some cases, permanently redeployed.
Skin care and the importance of intact skin isn’t just for patients, it’s for nursing staff. Under UK health and safety laws, your employer has a legal duty to take all reasonable measures to protect you from developing work related dermatitis. Measures could include using safer products, such as accelerator free gloves, or by limiting skin contact through automating process, such as cleaning endoscopes with enzymatic detergents.
Employers should make sure that nursing staff have easy access to emollient based hand creams, including community staff. It’s important to frequently apply these creams as often as you can during a shift. It’s also important to take care when you’re away from work, particularly when you are exposed to irritant cleaning products at home.
Looking out for the early warning signs of hand dermatitis (e.g. changes in skin colour and itching) is important and please seek help early if you think something is irritating your skin.
The RCN has developed an education programme for nursing staff to learn more about skin care and the prevention of hand dermatitis. If you want to find out more about what you and your employer can do, visit our skin health pages.
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