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Biomedical subjects

W Wigger-Alberti

Publications and source records attributed to W Wigger-Alberti.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Effects of various grit-containing cleansers on skin barrier function.

Products intended for individuals in contact with strongly adhering dirt often contain grit. Various clinical test methods have been developed for evaluating the potential of personal washing products to induce skin irritation. In the present study, differences in the irritant effects of washing products containing naturally-derived grit and synthetic grit were investigated in a forearm wash test. The forearms of 16 test subjects were washed in a total of 18 treatments (4 per day for 4 days, with 2 treatments on the 5th day). Treatment consisted of continuous washing for 2 min by a technician, who gently slid his fingertips with the lather up and down the forearm. Non-invasive instrumental measurements of skin barrier function were performed. Repetitive washing for 1 week lead to increased TEWL values, skin redness and decreased stratum corneum hydration. Results indicate differences in irritancy potential due to different types of grit, their surface and concentration. It is concluded that the repeated wash test seems to be adequate for rating personal washing products that contain grit.

Dermatitis, Contact↗
PubMed1998

Efficacy of protective creams in a modified repeated irritation test. Methodological aspects.

The effect of 3 protective creams and petrolatum was tested in a repetitive irritation test. On 15 healthy volunteers, the irritants (sodium lauryl sulfate 10%, sodium hydroxide 0.5%, lactic acid 15%, and toluene undiluted) were applied on the paravertebral skin of the mid-back after 30 min pretreatment with the products tested. The volunteers were treated for 9 days. The irritant cutaneous reactions were quantified by erythema score, transepidermal water loss, and chromametry. The results showed a specific profile of efficacy against the 4 irritants used. For all creams a significant protective effect was obtained against irritation by sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hydroxide and lactic acid in different degrees. Less efficacy was observed against toluene. Even an amplification of inflammation by pretreatment with 1 product could be demonstrated. The results indicate that a 1-week period of cumulative irritation might be enough to evaluate the efficacy of protective creams against most irritants.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Perfluoropolyethers in the prevention of irritant contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) are non-reactive perfluorinated (no hydrogen atoms) liquid polymers that showed promise as ingredients of protective preparations in occupational dermatology. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate if oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions containing 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0% PFPEs (molecular weight 6,250 D) prevent epidermal barrier disruption induced by a repetitive irritation test (RIT). METHODS: PFPE-containing o/w emulsions and the emulsion base alone were evaluated against a set of 4 irritants [10% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), 0.5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), 15% lactic acid (LA), and undiluted toluene (TOL)] in the RIT. Ten subjects were tested on the paravertebral skin of the mid-back. Irritation was assessed by visual scoring, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and colorimetry. RESULTS: Both the emulsion base and all PFPE-containing preparations significantly suppressed irritation by SLS and NaOH. Against LA and TOL, only the 4% PFPE-containing preparation was significant as assessed by TEWL. CONCLUSION: A 4% PFPE-containing o/w emulsion significantly inhibits irritation due to a wide spectrum of hydrophilic and lipophilic irritants. o/w emulsions with lower concentrations of PFPE are also effective against SLS and NaOH, but this is also true for the cream base alone. Therefore, further studies are necessary to evaluate if a minimum of 4% PFPE in the base provides additional benefit.

Caustics↗
PubMed1998

Do barrier creams and gloves prevent or provoke contact dermatitis?

Barrier creams and gloves play an important role in the prevention of contact dermatitis, and various in vivo and in vitro methods have been developed to investigate their efficacy. However, their actual benefit in the workplace is still being debated. This article reviews both the benefits and adverse effects of barrier creams and gloves.

Dermatitis, Contact↗
PubMed1997

[Use of skin protective agents by patients with occupational dermatoses: need for improved preventive behavior].

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: In high-risk workplaces, primary and secondary measures to prevent occupational dermatoses are necessary. Therefore, protective creams as useful tools in prevention have to be applied adequate. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether a protective cream is adequately applied to the hands by patients with occupational dermatoses after self-application, and to quantify what areas are covered or missed. METHODS: 50 patients of the Department of Dermatology of the University Hospital, Zurich, suffering from job-related skin diseases were recruited for a questionnaire and self-application of a cream as they would typically apply it. The cream contained 1% vitamin A acetate in order to fluoresce bright yellow when irradiated with Wood's light. RESULTS: 84% believed that their symptoms were occupationally-related. However, only 44% were occasional or regular users of protective creams and only 36% had previously been informed about skin protection at the workplace. Self-application of a fluorescent preparation resulted in many areas shown as skipped when viewed under Wood's lamp. Only 60% applied the test preparation sufficiently and the application was incomplete, especially in the dorsal aspects of the hands. CONCLUSIONS: Our results underline the necessity of educational efforts in the prevention of occupational dermatoses and present an effective approach to teaching patients the proper use of protective creams.

Dermatitis, Occupational↗
PubMed1997

[Fluorescence with Wood's light. Current applications in dermatologic diagnosis, therapy follow-up and prevention].

The invisible long-wave ultraviolet radiation (340-450 nm, max.365 nm) produced by a Wood lamp can help to diagnose dermatoses with a characteristic fluorescence (tinea capitis, erythrasma, tinea versicolor, Pseudomonas infections, porphyrians, and pigmentary alterations). It is also used in the detection of medications that are taken systemically (tetracycline) or that are applied to the skin. Recently, a fluorescence technique with Wood light has been used as a preventive measure to monitor and quantify skin protection at the workplace and to teach workers in high-risk occupations the proper use of protective creams.

Dermatitis, Occupational↗
PubMed1997

Predictive testing of metalworking fluids: a comparison of 2 cumulative human irritation models and correlation with epidemiological data.

Metalworking fluids (MWF) have been reported as being an important cause of irritant contact dermatitis in metal workers. Our purpose was to determine whether the irritancy of different MWF assessed by 2 different types of predictive human in vivo tests could be compared with epidemiological data. 3 water-based MWF were tested in the same panel of subjects. Reactions were assessed by a visual score (VS), evaporimetry to evaluate the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and chromametry to quantify erythema. Test 1: MWF were applied with Finn Chambers on the volunteers' mid-back, removed after 1 day of exposure, and reapplied for a further 2 days. Test 2: Cumulative irritant contact dermatitis was induced using a repetitive irritation test for 2 weeks (omitting weekends) for 6 h per day. We observed an increase in VS, TEWL, and erythema for all MWF, with the same irritancy ranking in both test models. Differentiation of the substances was better in the D1/D3 test. The experimental results partially correlated with the epidemiological data. Considering the shorter application time and the better discrimination of irritancy, we prefer the D1/D3 model as a predictive test of MWF irritancy. Our results might aid development of a standardized test to reduce cumulative skin irritation in metal workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Training workers at risk for occupational contact dermatitis in the application of protective creams: efficacy of a fluorescence technique.

BACKGROUND: In spite of promising experimental data demonstrating the efficacy of protective creams (PC), their practical value is still viewed with scepticism. Lack of protection could be caused simply by uneven or spotty application of these products. How precisely workers apply PC at the workplace can be monitored and quantified by a recently developed fluorescence technique. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to use this technique to teach workers in high-risk occupations the proper use of PCs and to compare the benefit of this method with the use of an instructive videotape. METHODS: Fifty healthy metal workers were recruited to self-apply a fluorescent preparation 6 weeks after being taught either by a fluorescence test or by a 20-min videotape. The application was evaluated under Wood's light examination. RESULTS: The performance of the fluorescence group had improved significantly over the initial test (p < 0.001) and was significantly better than that of the videotape group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that this method may become a useful adjunct to improve the daily application of PC as a preventive measure.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1997

Petrolatum prevents irritation in a human cumulative exposure model in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Protective creams (PCs) have been studied in different models indicating a protective effect of some products. In order to compare PCs in different studies, a generic reference standard should be available. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate if petrolatum prevents epidermal barrier disruption induced by various irritants in a repetitive irritation test (RIT) and to assess its potential as a standard reference product. METHODS: White petrolatum was evaluated against a set of 4 irritants [10% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), 1% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), 30% lactic acid (LA) and undiluted toluene (TOL)] in the RIT. Twenty subjects were tested on the paravertebral skin of the midback. Irritation was assessed by visual scoring, transepidermal water loss and colorimetry. RESULTS: Petrolatum was very effective against SLS, NaOH and LA irritation, and it provided a moderate protection against TOL. CONCLUSION: Petrolatum can be recommended as a standard reference substance against which PCs may be compared as it is effective against water-soluble and water-insoluble irritants in a standardized test procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Contact dermatitis caused by triglycidyl isocyanurate.

A case of a 31-year-old color paint factory worker who developed contact dermatitis of the face and forearms on exposure to triglycidyl isocyanurate is reported. Patch testing showed a positive allergic reaction to only 5% triglycidyl isocyanurate in methyl ethyl ketone. A face mask that had not been regularly cleaned probably promoted the patient's sensitization by its occlusive effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Self-application of a protective cream. Pitfalls of occupational skin protection.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if a protective cream (PC) is adequately applied to the hands by workers in several occupations and to quantify what areas are covered or missed. DESIGN: Prospective diagnostic study. SETTINGS: Metalworking factory, construction sites, and university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty healthy volunteers (50 from each setting) were recruited for a questionnaire interview and typical self-application of a PC. INTERVENTION: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Percentage of sufficient cover with PC as assessed with fluorescence under Wood light. RESULTS: Many areas were skipped when viewed under Wood light. The application of PC was incomplete, especially on the dorsal aspects of the hands. CONCLUSION: Individuals should be made aware of the most commonly missed regions to ensure complete skin protection. This simple method is a useful adjunct to quantify self-application and in worker education.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of a new class of perfluoropolyethers in the prevention of irritant contact dermatitis.

Perfluoropolyethers (Fomblin HC products) are chemical non-reactive polymers with special physico-chemical properties that recently showed promise as protective preparations in the prevention of irritant contact dermatitis. We evaluated the efficacy of a new class of perfluoropolyethers (perfluoropolyether phosphate, Fomblin HC/P2) in the prevention of experimentally induced cumulative irritant contact dermatitis if applied prior to irritation. A panel of 20 healthy volunteers was tested with a repetitive irritation test using 4 standard irritants (sodium lauryl sulphate of highest purity, sodium hydroxide, lactic acid and toluene) in a randomized double-blind study. Application sites were assessed clinically and by the use of bioengineering techniques (transepidermal water loss and chromametry). Three gel preparations each containing 5% perfluoropolyether phosphate showed significant efficacy against irritation due to sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium hydroxide, while one test preparation containing 2% showed inferior benefit, indicating a dose-related effect. Preparations containing perfluoropolyether phosphates can be recommended for workplaces with water-soluble irritants. Further studies under real workplace conditions are indicated.

Adolescent↗