ORIGINAL PAPER
Screening survey of ocular, nasal, respiratory and skin symptoms in manicurists in Poland
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1
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health)
2
Medical University in Kielce, Kielce, Poland (Department of Health Sciences)
Online publication date: 2017-07-12
Corresponding author
Marta Kieć-Świerczyńska
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health,
św. Teresy 8, 91-348 Łódź, Poland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2017;30(6):887-96
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: Manicurists are exposed to various chemicals in nail and skin care products and may develop ocular, nasal,
respiratory or skin adverse reactions to them. To investigate the occurrence of ocular, nasal, respiratory and skin problems
among manicurists and to identify their causal factors, particularly allergic etiology and occupational origin. Material and Methods: Manicurists employed in beauty salons in the central region of Poland were invited to fill in the questionnaire and
undergo medical examination, skin prick tests with common aeroallergens, patch tests with European Baseline Series and
(Meth)Acrylates Series-Nails and spirometry. Results: In the questionnaire adverse nasal symptoms were reported by 70%,
ocular – by 58%, respiratory – by 42%, hand eczema – by 43% of manicurists. In the medical interview, the frequency of
those complaints was lower: nasal ones – 41%, ocular – 24%, cough – 18%, hand skin dryness – 20%, hand eczema – 6%.
Cough and hand skin dryness occurred significantly more frequently than in the case of controls. Contact allergy was found
for 41% of manicurists and 35% of controls. The prevalence of nickel sensitization was high in both groups (38% and 27%,
respectively). Only 3 manicurists reacted to (meth)acrylates. The frequency of atopic diseases was similar in compared
groups. Irritant nasal and respiratory reactions were significantly more prevalent among manicurists (nasal – 18% vs. 2%,
p < 0.01; respiratory – 18% vs. 1%, p < 0.001). Work-related nasal irritant reactions were finally diagnosed for 19%, ocular
ones – for 13%, respiratory – for 18% and within hand skin – for 23% of manicurists. Conclusions: The frequency of workattributed
irritant mucosal and skin symptoms among manicurists is high. Exposure to acrylates is an important source of
mucosal irritant reactions while occlusive gloves cause irritation of hand skin. The prevalence of nickel allergy among Polish
females is high. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(6):887–896