Increased adverse skin reactions among healthcare workers during
COVID-19 outbreak
Abstract
Background: The personal protective equipment (PPE) and frequent hand
hygiene procedures needed during the COVID-19 outbreak impair skin
integrity in healthcare workers (HCWs). We aimed to evaluate the
prevalence and risk factors of adverse skin reactions related to
infection-prevention measures among HCWs. Methods: A questionnaire
survey was administered to evaluate the duration of PPE, disinfectant,
and moisturizing agent use, as well as handwashing frequency among our
hospital’s HCWs. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 702 HCWs
with a mean age of 34.8±9.8 years. Adverse skin reactions were reported
by 79.5% of our participants. Hands (63.5%) and face (48.9%) were the
most commonly affected areas. Female sex, being a doctor/nurse, having a
history of underlying chronic dermatoses, and PPE usage more than six
hours per day were increased the risk of adverse skin reactions.
Handwashing more than 10 times/day and moisturizing less than 5
times/day were also related to increased adverse skin reactions. In
HCWs, wearing more than one mask was associated with pressure-induced
skin changes on the face and triggering herpes labialis. Conclusion:
Hand hygiene-associated dermatitis is triggered by frequent handwashing
and less moisturizing among HCWs. Surgical masks may also be just as
responsible as N95 masks for causing facial skin damage.