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Allergic contact dermatitis in health care workers to diazolidinyl urea present in antimicrobial hand gel

Jennifer L Cahill and Rosemary L Nixon
Med J Aust 2011; 194 (12): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2011.tb03161.x
Published online: 20 June 2011

To the Editor: A 44-year-old female nurse with a 4-year history of hand dermatitis was referred to an occupational dermatology clinic in Melbourne. In 2009, her hand dermatitis had worsened when she started working in a neonatal intensive care unit, where she used antimicrobial hand gel more frequently. Her hands improved when she spent time away from work but worsened again within 2 days of returning.


  • Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre, Skin and Cancer Foundation Victoria, Melbourne, VIC.


Correspondence: JCahill@skincancer.asn.au

Acknowledgements: 

Acknowledgement: Jennifer Cahill has received a grant from the Australasian College of Dermatologists (paid to the Skin and Cancer Foundation Victoria) for an occupational dermatology traineeship.

  • 1. Moyle M, Keegel T, Noonan A, Nixon R. Skin care in occupational contact dermatitis of the hands. Australas J Dermatol 2006; 47: 97-101.
  • 2. Grayson ML, Jarvie LJ, Martin R, et al. Significant reductions in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and clinical isolates associated with a multisite, hand hygiene culture-change program and subsequent successful statewide roll-out. Med J Aust 2008; 188: 633-640. <MJA full text>
  • 3. Graham M, Nixon R, Burrell LJ, et al. Low rates of cutaneous adverse reactions to alcohol-based hand hygiene solution during prolonged use in a large teaching hospital. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2005; 49: 4404-4405.
  • 4. Kramer A, Rudolph P, Kampf G, Pittet D. Limited efficacy of alcohol-based hand gels. Lancet 2002; 359: 1489-1490.

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