From the Cochrane Library: Interventions for Preventing Occupational Irritant Hand Dermatitis

Inclusion criteria specified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of barrier creams, moisturizers, gloves, or educational programs involving employees without pre-existing OIHD working in high-risk fields. None of the studies addressed the frequency of discontinuation of the intervention relating to adverse effects; however, recorded dropout reasons were unrelated to adverse effects; therefore, these strategies likely cause few or no serious side effects. Intervention Studies, n Follow-up (months) Participants, n Proportion of participants developing OIHDa (%) Relative effect, RRb (95% CI) Quality of evidencec Patients Controls Barrier creamsd 4 6-12 999 29 33 0.87 (0.72-1.06) Low Moisturizerse 3 6-12 507 13 19 0.71 (0.46-1.09) Low Barrier creams + moisturizers 2 12 (median) 474 8 13 0.68 (0.33-1.42) Low Skin protection education 3 12-36 1355 21 28 0.76 (0.54-1.08) Very low aOIHD: occupational irritant hand dermatitis. bRR: risk ratio cEvidence assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group criteria [3]. dExamples of barrier creams used include Arretil, Ache Basis Creme, Excipial, Stoko Protect, and Travabon. eExamples of moisturizers used include Estolan, Keri Lotion, and Locobase.