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Elke Weisshaar

Publications and source records attributed to Elke Weisshaar.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Secondary individual prevention of occupational skin diseases in health care workers, cleaners and kitchen employees: aims, experiences and descriptive results.

OBJECTIVES: Due to increased occupational dermatoses in certain professions such as health care workers (HCW), cleaning and kitchen employees (CKE), measures of prevention and skin protection are of high significance. Skin protection courses focus on educational aims (e.g. improving skin care habits, influencing the participants' attitudes towards health) and medical aims (e.g. optimising diagnostic procedures, complementing individual therapy). METHODS: Participants are patients who have been suspected to suffer from an occupational skin disease and are insured with the German Accident Prevention & Insurance Association (BGW). Teaching units of the skin protection courses focus on basics of skin functioning and important aspects of occupational skin diseases. Practical parts include information and instructions about the correct implementation of skin protection, skin care and skin cleansing. Every participant is seen by a dermatologist obtaining a precise patient's history and performing a skin examination. All this results in working out individually adapted and professional skin protection strategies. RESULTS: In total, 791 participants (93 men and 698 women) completed the skin protections courses. Six hundred and sixty-seven patients (mean age: 36.9 years, SD = 11.6) were HCW and 124 patients (mean age: 40.4 years, SD = 10.8) were CKE. In HCW 82.5% (n = 550) and in CKE 86.3% (n = 107) suffered from hand eczema of the atopic, irritant or allergic type. Irritant contact dermatitis as a single diagnosis was the most frequent one in both groups (HCW: 34.5.%, n = 230; CKE: 49.2% n = 61). According to regularly performed evaluations, the participants rated the course as good to excellent. Nearly 80% of the participants had skin lesions while attending the course, in 27% the dermatosis was severe. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high need for health education, advisory services, diagnostics and additional therapy in occupational dermatology. Prevention of occupational skin diseases and maintenance of health through educational programmes are important complementary measures for dermatological care but still missing in endangered professions.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Epidemiology of tick bites and borreliosis in children attending kindergarten or so-called "forest kindergarten" in southwest Germany.

The so-called "forest kindergartens" have been increasingly popular in Germany since the beginning of the 1990s. These are nurseries located in forested areas where children spend all-season full-time outdoors. Fifty-three kindergartens in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany participated in this study. In a prospective clinical cohort study, the child's personal data, history, protective parental habits concerning tick bites, number of tick bites, and cases of borreliosis were recorded monthly (March-October 2004) using a questionnaire. Altogether, 1,707 children of 25 "forest kindergartens" (506 children) and 28 conventional kindergartens (1,201 children) were included. The response rate was 75% in "forest kindergartens" and 65% in conventional kindergartens. In the "forest kindergartens", 1,503 tick bites especially on the trunk and on the head were found, whereas 502 tick bites were registered in conventional kindergartens. Sixteen cases of borreliosis were diagnosed (10 in "forest kindergartens", six in conventional kindergarten), most frequently manifesting as erythema migrans. Children attending a "forest kindergarten" have a 2.8 times increased risk of experiencing tick bites and a 4.6 times increased risk of suffering from borreliosis compared to conventional kindergarten in Germany, although protective parental behavior in "forest kindergarten" children was significantly better than that in conventional kindergarten.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Educational and dermatological aspects of secondary individual prevention in healthcare workers.

Healthcare workers (HCW) have an increased risk of suffering from occupational skin diseases (OSDs). Therefore, we established special prevention and skin protection courses for HCW. Medical aims are to optimize diagnostic procedures and individual therapy, educational aims are to improve individual skin protection/skin care habits of the patient and also to influence the participants' attitudes towards health. Participants are patients that have been suspected to suffer from an OSD and are insured with the German Accident Prevention Insurance Association for Health Care Workers (BGW). Teaching units mainly focus on the texture and functioning of the skin, general aspects of OSDs, general information concerning skin protection, instructions about the correct use of skin cleansing and skin protection products. Besides, every participant is clinically examined by a dermatologist and a precise patient's history is obtained. Individually adapted skin protection strategies are developed. Patients can ask the dermatologist questions in confidence. 504 patients (mean age: 36.9 years, SD = 11.7) participated in the skin protection courses. 94.6% (n = 477) suffered from hand eczema frequently caused by a mixture of atopic, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, but irritant contact dermatitis was the most frequent diagnosis (55.4%, n = 279). The participants rated the course as good to excellent. Health education and advisory services in occupational dermatology are still fragmentary. Prevention of OSD and maintenance of health through education are important complementary measures for dermatological care. In the future, similar educational programmes should be offered for employees of other professions with an increased risk for OSD.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Skin protection and skin disease prevention courses for secondary prevention in health care workers: first results after two years of implementation].

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers have an increased risk of occupational dermatoses. In January 2002, the Department of Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology of the University of Heidelberg started organizing special prevention courses for this group of employees in cooperation with the Accident Prevention & Insurance Association for Health Care Workers (BGW). The major aims are to improve individual skin protection and skin care habits, as well as to optimize diagnostic procedures and therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The two-day course has up to 14 participants. Teaching units mainly focus on skin structure and function, general aspects of occupational skin diseases, general information concerning skin protection and practical exercises emphasizing the correct use of skin cleansing and skin protection products. Additionally, every participant undergoes a dermatological examination including a detailed history and skin inspection. Individual skin protection strategies are developed, and the participants are provided with the opportunity to ask the dermatologist questions in confidence. RESULTS: Most of the 355 participants have been female (87.3%) with a mean age of 36.9 years. 95% had hand eczema, predominantly dyshidrotic morphology. In many cases, there was a mixture of atopic, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis but irritant contact dermatitis was most common (43%). Atopy was present in 68% of the patients. The participants rated the course as good to excellent. Other benefits are the exchange of experience between patients working in the same or similar occupations and transfer of the new knowledge to colleagues, family and friends. CONCLUSIONS: Examinations and advisory services in occupational dermatology are still fragmentary. Skin barrier creams and moisturizers are not sufficiently utilized in daily practice. In the future, similar courses should be offered for employees in other professions with an increased risk of occupational skin diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The "strip" patch test: results of a multicentre study towards a standardization.

BACKGROUND: The "strip" patch test (SPT) is a variant of patch testing which is used for substances with a poor percutaneous penetration. Penetration of the substances is enhanced by repeated applications of adhesive tape prior to their application to the skin. However, no guidelines exist for standardized performance of the SPT. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this multicentre study was to obtain a first practical approach towards a standardized SPT procedure. METHODS: Intact noninflamed skin of the upper back of 83 healthy volunteers was tape-stripped. For sequential strips, a 25-mm diameter 3M Blenderm surgical tape was vertically applied and gently pressed downward using the fingertips for about 2 s. The tape was removed in one quick movement at an angle of 45 degrees in the direction of adherence. Each strip was performed with a new piece of tape on exactly the same skin area. RESULTS. In each subject, we first determined the number of strips (A) until the skin surface started to glisten and calculated the median number of strips (A) in the sample (A=26 strips). We then ascertained the median number of strips (a) in the sample that was necessary to achieve a statistically significant and twofold increase in TEWL (a=11 strips), revealing a "critical" stratum corneum strip depth. The unknown number of strips (a) for each subject was finally calculated from the formula a/A=a/A, i.e. the individual number of strips (A) until the skin surface started to glisten was multiplied by a derived tape-specific correction factor (cf=a/A=11/26=0.4). The increase in percutaneous penetration in strip patch testing by performing "a" strips versus conventional patch testing was shown by scoring of clinical and subjective SLS irritant reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The present multicentre study outlines an experimentally derived approach for a uniform SPT procedure, which does not require the use of complex technical equipment. This first approach now requires validation by a study involving the application of allergens to obtain evidence of enhancement in the sensitivity of patch testing.

Adhesives↗
PubMed2004

Antipruritic effects of two different 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and an antihistamine in haemodialysis patients.

Pruritus is the most distressing symptom in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Its aetiology has not yet been delineated, and thus there are no good therapeutical options. Case reports and series attribute antipruritic potency to the serotonin receptor antagonists of the 5-HT3 type in renal pruritus. It was the aim of this study to investigate the antipruritic effect of two different 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and an antihistamine in 11 patients undergoing HD. Pruritus was induced by iontophoresis with serotonin and histamine and recorded before and after HD. These data were compared to those obtained after oral pretreatment with the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists tropisetron 5 mg and ondansetron 8 mg and the antihistamine cetirizine 10 mg. Ten healthy volunteers served as a control group. Vasocutaneous parameters (wheal and flare), skin temperature and alloknesis were also determined. Itching in HD patients and controls was not significantly diminished by oral pretreatment with the serotonin receptor antagonists. In controls, but not in HD patients, cetirizine significantly reduced itching, skin temperature and vasocutaneous parameters. Our data additionally demonstrate that there are no significant differences in vasocutaneous parameters, itching and alloknesis in HD patients before and after dialysis. We conclude that 5-HT3 receptor blockers such as tropisetron and ondansetron and the antihistamine cetirizine do not sufficiently reduce serotonin- and histamine-induced itching in haemodialyis patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Topical capsaicin therapy in humans with hemodialysis-related pruritus.

As shown in previous experimental studies, topical capsaicin has a strong inhibitory effect in histamine-induced itch in healthy persons, but not in patients with atopic eczema. However, in serotonin-induced itch, it was not a sufficient antipruritic. Eleven pruritic patients on hemodialysis (HD) and ten controls were treated with capsaicin 0.05% liniment on the upper back three times daily for 5 days. Study parameters to be investigated were wheal and flare reactions, itch and alloknesis (perifocal itch sensation induced by usually non-itching stimuli) after serotonin and histamine iontophoresis in treated and untreated skin. There were no significant differences in any parameter before and after HD. In both groups, itching was not significantly reduced by capsaicin compared to untreated skin. Itching, however, was significantly lower in capsaicin-pretreated patients when comparing to controls. In summary, topical capsaicin showed some antipruritic potency in HD patients in this experimental model and may therefore be considered as a co-medication in HD patients.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2003

Neurophysiology of pruritus: cutaneous elicitation of itch.

Itching is defined as an unpleasant cutaneous sensation leading to the desire to scratch. It serves as a physiological self-protective mechanism as do other cutaneous sensations like pain, touch, vibration, cold, and heat to help defend the skin against harmful external agents. Pruritus can be evoked in the skin directly by mechanical and thermal stimuli or indirectly through chemical mediators. It may also be generated in the central nervous system independently of peripheral stimulation. Single-nerve-fiber recordings have shown that histamine-evoked itch is transmitted by selective slow-conducting subpopulations of unmyelinated C-polymodal neurons. Recent experimental studies using improved methods have demonstrated which of the suspected chemical itch mediators such as histamine, neuropeptides, prostaglandins, serotonin, acetylcholine, or bradykinin act pruritogenically on C-fibers. Moreover, investigations have revealed new receptor systems such as vanilloid, opioid, and cannabinoid receptors on cutaneous sensory nerve fibers that may modulate itch and thereby represent targets for antipruritic therapy. This review focuses on the peripheral generation of itch, including neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and inflammatory mediators.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Lung carcinoma with congenital plantar keratoderma as a variant of Clarke-Howel-Evans syndrome.

A 32-year-old man was admitted to the Magdeburg University Hospital with icterus and for further diagnosis of suspected hepatitis. He also complained of generalized pruritus, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. The patient's history revealed the excision of a lymph node metastasis of the left groin showing pleomorphic macrocellular infiltrates, 2 months previously. The patient presented to our department with prominent hyperkeratosis of both feet, which had been present since early youth. The family history was negative. Both soles showed very thick, white and blackish hyperkeratosis with predominance of the heels and the forefeet (Fig. 1). The naturally occurring wrinkles of the skin of the toes were flattened. The palms were not affected, and neither was the oral mucosa. Further investigations revealed icterus of the sclera and multiple, firm tumors, which were located in the deep subcutaneous tissue, on the left hip, thigh, and buttock. From thorough clinical, laboratory and staging investigations, a non-small-cell bronchogenic carcinoma, with metastases of the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, and several skin sites, was diagnosed. A skin biopsy specimen of the foot showed substantial acanthosis of the epidermis with hypergranulosis and excessive orthohyperkeratosis. The corneocytes were enlarged and arranged in a tile-like pattern (Fig. 2). The dermis was free of inflammatory infiltrates and human papillomavirus infection was ruled out by immunohistochemistry. Polychemotherapy was immediately started with 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin, and cisplatin, which was well tolerated. When the patient was admitted for the second cycle, however, his general health had worsened markedly. He complained of abdominal pain, severe weight loss, and nausea. Generalized metastases showed substantial progression. Chemotherapy could not be continued because of a Karnowsky index below 20%. The patient died 2 weeks later.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Pruritus--pathophysiology, clinical features and therapy--an overview].

Pruritus is an unpleasant sensory perception of the skin associated with the desire to scratch. As a physiological nociception, pruritus leads to the removal of harmful agents such as parasites and plants from the skin surface. More often, pruritus occurs as a severe and therapy-refractory symptom of various underlying dermatological and systemic diseases. Comparable to chronic pain, chronic pruritus worsens the general condition and may lead to physical and psychological exhaustion. Until the 1990s, pruritus had been regarded as an incomplete pain sensation. Only recently, itch was defined as a separate, pain-independent sensation with its own mediators, spinal neurons and cortical areas. These observations led to the development of new therapeutic modalities. This paper gives an overview of itch pathophysiology, clinical types and therapies.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Pruritus: a review.

The history, neurophysiology, clinical aspects and treatment of pruritus are reviewed in this article. The different forms of pruritus in dermatological and systemic diseases are described, and the various aetiologies and pathophysiology of pruritus in systemic diseases are discussed. Lack of understanding of the neurophysiology and pathophysiology of pruritus has hampered the development of adequate therapies. Nevertheless, the discovery of primary afferent neurons and, presumably, second-order neurons with typical histamine responses mediating pruritic sensations can be regarded as a breakthrough in our understanding of the mechanisms behind pruritus. The number of experimental and therapeutic studies has greatly increased during the past few years, reflecting an increased interest in this topic. However, further effort is needed to develop new therapeutic concepts and clarify some confusion arising from promising case reports and uncontrolled clinical studies. A precise work-up for evaluating patients with pruritus is proposed, which may help the physician to identify the underlying causes and thus to treat the patient appropriately.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pruritus in pregnancy and childhood--do we really consider all relevant differential diagnoses?

During pregnancy and also during childhood, pruritus can have manifold aetiologies and should therefore always be taken seriously. In pregnancy, pruritus is the main dermatological symptom, occurring in 18% of women. Pregnancy-specific dermatological diseases such as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), Pemphigoid (Herpes) gestationis, Pruritus gravidarum are accompanied by severe pruritus and scratching. In children, it mainly occurs along with dermatoses but in rare cases with systemic diseases such as renal or liver failure. Mostly, it appears in the setting of atopic dermatitis (AD). Both groups of patients require therapeutic regimens of their own. The use of topical and systemic treatments depends on the underlying aetiology of the pruritus and the stage and status of the skin. Because of potential effects on the fetus, the treatment of pruritus in pregnancy requires prudent consideration of whether the severity of the underlying disease warrants treatment and selection of the safest treatments available. Systemic treatments such as systemic glucocorticosteroids, a restricted number of antihistamines and ultraviolet phototherapy may be necessary in severe and generalized forms of pruritus in pregnancy. In children, the physician has to consider that topically applied drugs may cause intoxication due to the different body volume/body surface proportion. The dosages of systemic drugs need to be adapted in children and ultraviolet phototherapy should be performed with caution due to possible longterm photo damage of the skin. In a two center approach, we wanted to highlight the major aetiologies of pruritus during pregnancy and in children and point out the mainstays of antipruritic therapy in these two challenging groups of patients according to our clinical experiences. For the future, it would be desirable for all disciplines involved (dermatologist, gynaecologist, paediatrician, general practitioner) to cooperate closely to expand the clinical and scientific knowledge of pruritus in these groups of pruritus patients.

Antipruritics↗