Journal of the Turkish Academy of Dermatology, cilt.15, sa.3, ss.60-64, 2021 (Hakemli Dergi)
Background: The personal protective equipment (PPE) and frequent hand hygiene procedures needed during the Coronavirus disease-2019
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
Materials and 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-old. 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.
Keywords: COVID-19, Hand disinfection, Personal protective equipment, Healthcare workers