Introduction

Interdigital Pilonidal Sinus (IPNS), or barber’s disease, is a rare occupational condition where sharp clipped hair penetrates the webspace between fingers, causing a foreign body reaction. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of IPNS among hair professionals in Bahrain and assess the role of hygiene practices in its prevention.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted across the five governorates of Bahrain, involving 479 participants (253 male and 226 female) from 384 hair salons and barbershops selected through convenience sampling. Demographic data, including age, gender, hand dominance, work experience, type of work (barber or hairdresser), hygiene habits, and medical comorbidities, were collected via an interview-administered questionnaire.

Results

No cases of IPNS were identified among the participants. However, two male participants reported having Pilonidal Sinus (PNS) in the sacrococcygeal region. The majority of participants were aged between 26 and 45 (72.7%), with 52.8% reporting over 5 years of professional experience. Most participants were right-handed (89.1%). Only 1.9% of participants had diabetes, a known risk factor for IPNS. Regarding hygiene practices, 85.6% reported frequent handwashing, 69.5% used sanitizers, and 39.2% consistently used gloves.

Discussion

The absence of IPNS in our study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, may be attributed to heightened hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing. Comparisons with regions where hygiene protocols vary or with other time periods, such as pre-pandemic, may yield different results. The low prevalence of diabetes in our population may have also contributed to the absence of IPNS.

Conclusion

Although no IPNS cases were found, this study highlights the importance of hygiene in preventing occupational diseases. Further longitudinal studies are recommended in order to explore IPNS risk factors and its potential association with hairdressing.