Dermatoses in the canning industry--the roles of glove use and non-occupational exposures.

Primary prevention is the mainstay of management of occupational dermatoses. Despite the high rates of dermatoses found in a study of 686 female workers in a canning factory in March 1990, use of protective gloves was extremely low, even though there was evidence that they prevented acute paronychia and intertrigo. Reasons associated with low glove use were unavailability, discomfort and workers' failure to perceive a protective role for gloves. Difficulties with replacement of damaged gloves were an important cause of unavailability. Domestic and other non-occupational exposure at the workplace appeared to be unimportant in the development of dermatoses. Important preventive interventions are possible in the industry to reduce the rates of dermatoses among the workforce.