{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,24]],"date-time":"2026-07-24T18:34:24Z","timestamp":1784918064717,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,7]],"date-time":"2025-03-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1741305600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Diseases"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Healthcare workers (HCWs) are frequently exposed to a variety of chemical agents, which can result in the development of allergic or irritant contact dermatitis. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of skin sensitization among HCWs who presented with symptoms of contact dermatitis, considering both occupational and non-occupational risk factors. The study population comprised 127 HCWs who attended routine occupational health surveillance at the Tor Vergata Teaching Hospital in Rome between November 2023 and May 2024. A structured dermatitis questionnaire and patch testing were administered to the participants. Demographic and lifestyle data, including information on occupation, night shift work, smoking habits, and body mass index (BMI), were collected. Patch test positivity was observed in 31.5% of participants, with the most common clinical presentation being erythematous-desquamative allergic contact dermatitis. A significantly higher likelihood of patch test positivity was observed among nurses (57.1%), particularly for nickel sensitization, compared to other occupational groups. A trend towards an association between night shift work and skin sensitization was observed, although this did not reach statistical significance. No significant associations were found for ages over 35 years, sex, or BMI. These findings highlight the elevated risk of contact sensitization among nurses, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions, including exposure reduction strategies and protective measures, to mitigate occupational skin hazards in healthcare settings.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/diseases13030077","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,7]],"date-time":"2025-03-07T12:22:52Z","timestamp":1741350172000},"page":"77","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["The Influence of Occupational Factors on Contact Dermatitis in Symptomatic Healthcare Workers: A Patch Test Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2292-3338","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cristiana","family":"Ferrari","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy"},{"name":"PhD. Program in Social, Occupational and Medico-Legal Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Giuseppina","family":"Somma","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Viola","family":"Giovinazzo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Margherita","family":"Iarossi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9434-2604","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Michele","family":"Treglia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3169-2906","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Margherita","family":"Pallocci","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Luca","family":"Di Giampaolo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Medicine, University of Chieti \u201cG. D\u2019Annunzio\u201d, 66013 Chieti, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andrea","family":"Magrini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2470-6107","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Luca","family":"Coppeta","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,7]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1215","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaad.2020.03.014","article-title":"Skin damage among health care workers managing coronavirus disease-2019","volume":"82","author":"Lan","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Am. Acad. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"23779608231186754","DOI":"10.1177\/23779608231186754","article-title":"Physical Burden and Perceived Stress of Personal Protective Equipment During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study in the United Arab Emirates","volume":"9","author":"Alshehi","year":"2023","journal-title":"SAGE Open Nurs."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"245","DOI":"10.1007\/s12016-021-08875-0","article-title":"Contact Dermatitis: Classifications and Management","volume":"61","author":"Li","year":"2021","journal-title":"Clin. Rev. Allergy Immunol."},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"e59486","article-title":"Triggered Skin Sensitivity: Understanding Contact Dermatitis","volume":"16","author":"Sheikh","year":"2024","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"323","DOI":"10.1007\/s11882-024-01147-9","article-title":"The role of the environment in allergic skin disease","volume":"24","author":"Faraz","year":"2024","journal-title":"Curr. Allergy Asthma Rep."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"151","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yrtph.2019.03.011","article-title":"Fragrance inhalation and adverse health effects: The question of causation","volume":"104","author":"Basketter","year":"2019","journal-title":"Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol."},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"5","article-title":"Contact dermatitis due to transdermal therapeutic systems: A clinical update","volume":"90","author":"Romita","year":"2018","journal-title":"Acta Biomed."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"528","DOI":"10.1055\/a-0873-1494","article-title":"Plant Allergen-Induced Contact Dermatitis","volume":"85","author":"Esser","year":"2019","journal-title":"Planta Med."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"335","DOI":"10.1111\/pde.13792","article-title":"\u201cSlime\u201d contact dermatitis: Case report and review of relevant allergens","volume":"36","author":"Anderson","year":"2019","journal-title":"Pediatr. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1285","DOI":"10.1111\/jdv.17096","article-title":"Incidence of occupational contact dermatitis in healthcare workers: A systematic review","volume":"35","author":"Pesce","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"169","DOI":"10.1136\/oemed-2016-103783","article-title":"Associations among rotating night shift work, sleep and skin cancer in Nurses\u2019 Health Study II participants","volume":"74","author":"Heckman","year":"2017","journal-title":"Occup. Environ. Med."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"82","DOI":"10.5414\/ALX2483E","article-title":"Patch testing in occupational dermatology: Practical aspects in relation to the conditions in Germany","volume":"8","author":"Brans","year":"2024","journal-title":"Allergol. Sel."},{"key":"ref_13","first-page":"51","article-title":"Potential health effects associated with dermal exposure to occupational chemicals","volume":"8","author":"Anderson","year":"2014","journal-title":"Environ. Health Insights"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stenger, S., Grasshoff, H., Hundt, J.E., and Lange, T. (2023). Potential effects of shift work on skin autoimmune diseases. Front. Immunol., 13.","DOI":"10.3389\/fimmu.2022.1000951"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"199","DOI":"10.1038\/s41420-024-01960-1","article-title":"Circadian rhythm regulates the function of immune cells and participates in the development of tumors","volume":"10","author":"Zeng","year":"2024","journal-title":"Cell Death Discov."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.23736\/S0392-0488.19.06301-6","article-title":"Italian Guidelines in Patch Testing-adapted from the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD)","volume":"154","author":"Stingeni","year":"2019","journal-title":"G. Ital. Dermatol. Venereol."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tramontana, M., Hansel, K., Bianchi, L., Sensini, C., Malatesta, N., and Stingeni, L. (2023). Advancing the understanding of allergic contact dermatitis: From pathophysiology to novel therapeutic approaches. Front. Med., 10.","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2023.1184289"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"297","DOI":"10.1097\/DER.0000000000000417","article-title":"North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2015\u20132016","volume":"29","author":"DeKoven","year":"2018","journal-title":"Dermatitis"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.21101\/cejph.a6260","article-title":"Skin sensitization among night shift and daytime healthcare workers: A cross sectional study","volume":"29","author":"Coppeta","year":"2021","journal-title":"Cent. Eur. J. Public Health"},{"key":"ref_20","first-page":"202","article-title":"Contact dermatitis in the occupational setting","volume":"83","author":"Thyssen","year":"2020","journal-title":"Contact Dermat."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"171","DOI":"10.1111\/cod.14253","article-title":"Work-related and personal risk factors for occupational contact dermatitis: A systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis","volume":"88","author":"Tamminga","year":"2023","journal-title":"Contact Dermat."},{"key":"ref_22","first-page":"286","article-title":"Prevalence of nickel allergy and clinical relevance of positive patch test results in a cross-sectional study of patients referred for patch testing","volume":"154","author":"Jacob","year":"2018","journal-title":"JAMA Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"245","DOI":"10.1097\/DER.0000000000000135","article-title":"Nickel-Free Alternatives Raise Awareness","volume":"26","author":"Hill","year":"2015","journal-title":"Dermatitis"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"137","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0536.2007.01006.x","article-title":"Hand dermatitis among medical students from north Queensland, Australia","volume":"56","author":"Leggat","year":"2007","journal-title":"Contact Dermat."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"331","DOI":"10.1111\/cod.14489","article-title":"Prevalence and incidence of hand eczema in healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"90","author":"Symanzik","year":"2024","journal-title":"Contact Dermat."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"285","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0536.2007.01315.x","article-title":"Occupational dermatoses in health care workers evaluated for suspected allergic contact dermatitis","volume":"58","author":"Suneja","year":"2008","journal-title":"Contact Dermat."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"149","DOI":"10.1111\/cod.13042","article-title":"Hand eczema and occupational contact allergies in healthcare workers with a focus on rubber additives","volume":"79","author":"Hamnerius","year":"2018","journal-title":"Contact Dermat."},{"key":"ref_28","first-page":"207","article-title":"Prevention of occupational contact dermatitis: 20 years of experience","volume":"81","author":"Radman","year":"2019","journal-title":"Contact Dermat."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rustemeyer, T., Elsner, P., John, S.M., and Maibach, H.I. (2012). Mechanisms of Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Kanerva\u2019s Occupational Dermatology, Springer.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-642-02035-3"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.1111\/cod.13327","article-title":"Nickel allergy and allergic contact dermatitis: A clinical review of immunology, epidemiology, exposure, and treatment","volume":"81","author":"Thyssen","year":"2019","journal-title":"Contact Dermat."}],"container-title":["Diseases"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-9721\/13\/3\/77\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T16:49:11Z","timestamp":1760028551000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-9721\/13\/3\/77"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,7]]},"references-count":30,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3]]}},"alternative-id":["diseases13030077"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/diseases13030077","relation":{},"ISSN":["2079-9721"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2079-9721","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,7]]}}}