An nurse in our institution who has scrubbed (uneventfully) for surgical procedures for several decades developed bilateral hand dermatitis last fall with significant cracking and peeling of her hands.  Allergy testing by an allergist for all the scrub/glove components was negative.  She has been using a variety of agents (and hand cleansers) prescribed by the allergist and an dermatologist and her hand will eventually clear if she doesn’t scrub.  She has been prohibited from scrubbing and has been accommodated thus far, but wants to scrub.  My understanding from what I can find in the nursing literature (limited) is that she should not be handling operative tools, etc when she has open cracks in her skin, even with double gloving.  Am I correct?  Is there any guidance about how to handle this?  She is near retirement, but not ready to retire yet.  Also, if there are suggestions for specific remedies, I would be happy to pass them on to her. 

 

Scott Grubbs, MD

WorkWell Occupational Health

Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital System

Greenville, SC

864-675-4632


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