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As a member of the Lower Saxony Institute for Occupational Dermatology, the MHH clinic contributes expertise in research and care
Skin diseases such as eczema, contact allergies and skin cancer are among the most common occupational diseases in Germany. These occupational dermatoses can lead to the affected person having to give up their profession, often followed by psychosocial consequences for those affected and high costs for the social security systems. The Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venerology at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) offers special consultations for people with skin diseases acquired at work and also conducts research in the field of occupational dermatology. Since the end of last year, the clinic has been part of the national Lower Saxony Institute for Occupational Dermatology (NIB). Together with the member institutions, the MHH dermatologists want to strengthen existing research projects and launch new ones, as well as improve the clinical care of patients. One focus is on the prevention of occupational skin diseases.
Preventive measure: dermatologist procedure
“At the top of the list of occupational skin diseases are contact eczema on the hands. It can be triggered by working in damp conditions, wearing protective gloves and disinfectants, and contact allergens,” explains Professor Dr. Thomas Werfel, Director of the Clinic for Dermatology, Allergology and Venerology. It often affects people in the healthcare, hairdressing, bakery and metal industries, as well as in cleaning. Another large group of work-related skin diseases are skin cancers, especially the forms of so-called “white” skin cancer. These are found mainly in people who work outdoors a lot and are often exposed to UV radiation – for example in the construction, horticulture and agriculture. Patients with such diseases can find help in the occupational dermatology clinic. “We diagnose and treat the diseases and support those affected in initiating a dermatologist procedure in cooperation with the statutory accident insurance,” explains Dr. Annice Heratizadeh, head of the Occupational Dermatology Department. The dermatologist procedure according to §3 of the Occupational Diseases Ordinance (BKV) is a step-by-step preventive measure that is intended to ensure that a skin disease does not become an occupational disease recognized by the accident insurance institution in the first place, by means of early individual protective measures and treatment.
Study on contact allergies in nursing
In terms of research, the MHH Dermatology Department is involved in the topic of occupational diseases, including the further development of the world's largest registry of data on contact allergies. It is part of the Information Network of Dermatological Clinics (Informationsverbund Dermatologischer Kliniken, IVDK). “This database is constantly providing new questions and information. Targeted studies enable us to use the data to gain new insights and make treatment recommendations and recommendations for measures that reduce the risk of contact eczema,” says Dr. Heratizadeh. The clinic is currently planning a project on contact allergies related to components in protective gloves. These are a particular occupational dermatology problem in the healthcare sector, especially in nursing, where protective gloves are often worn for many hours a day. This project is to be implemented under the umbrella of and in collaboration with the partners of the Lower Saxony Institute for Occupational Dermatology.
Strong research network
Professor Werfel is very pleased about the inclusion of the MHH Dermatology Department in the NIB. “On the one hand, we can contribute our established clinical and scientific expertise in the field of eczema, allergies and skin cancer to the NIB's activities very well. On the other hand, we can also benefit from the expertise of the other NIB members.” Thanks to the expanded alliance, the NIB has become an even larger internationally visible innovative research network in Lower Saxony. The NIB was founded in 2012 by dermatological institutions of the University Medical Center Göttingen and the University of Osnabrück. Its main tasks include basic research, translational and clinical research projects, for which third-party funding is to be acquired through the institute, as well as the care of patients to avoid occupational disability and the implementation of concepts for the prevention of occupational skin diseases. In addition, data registers are to be further developed and young scientists are to be supported. Professor Dr. Swen Malte John from the University of Osnabrück was elected as the first chair of the board for the next term of office at the beginning of 2025. PD Dr. Annice Heratizadeh was elected as the second chair of the board, and a further board position in the NIB went to Professor Werfel in accordance with the statutes.
Further information is available from Professor Dr. Thomas Werfel, werfel.thomas@mh-hannover.de, and from PD Dr. Annice Heratizadeh, heratizadeh.annice@mh-hannover.de.
Detective work: Professor Dr. Werfel and Dr. Heratizadeh plan a case-oriented skin test to determine ...
Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH
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