Background: The incidence of occupational skin disease (OSD) in geriatric nurses (GNs) is increasing in Germany. Objectives: A prospective controlled study of secondary individual prevention (SIP) of OSD in GNs was conducted. Methods: Two hundred and nine participants completed questionnaires prior to the start of the program and 3 months after its conclusion. One hundred and two GNs participated in an interventional program (intervention group, IG). Severity of OSD was classified upon each visit. -TEWL values were measured at regular intervals. Findings were compared with those for 107 control group (CG) participants consulting a dermatologist on demand. SIP was not offered to CG participants. Results: Upon entry, 89% of IG and 90% CG complained of OSD (NS). Dermatologic examination revealed skin changes in 90% of IG at first consultation. Upon study completion, 59% of IG was free of OSD. Questionnaires 3 months after study completion revealed skin lesions in 53% of IG and 82% of CG (p<0.01).>-TEWL measurements reflected significant improvement of the epidermal barrier during SIP in IG (median 6.9–3.0 g/m²/h, p<0.001). three="" months="" after="" study="" completion,="" 96%="" of="" ig="" and="" 86%="" of="" cg="" were="" still="" employed.="" conclusions:="" objective="" dermatologic="" and="" skin="" physiologic="" data="" reveal="" that="" sip="" in="" gns="" is="" effective="" in="" the="" secondary="" prevention="" of="" osd.="" further,="" ig="" was="" superior="" to="" cg="" in="" terms="" of="" health="" maintenance="" and="">