Dermatological Manifestations in Healthcare Workers Due to Use of Personal Protective Equipment During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and types of dermatological manifestations among healthcare workers (HCWs) due to prolonged personal protective equipment (PPE) usage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Hospital, Islamabad, from March 7, 2023, to September 6, 2023. A total of 134 HCWs aged 20–60 years, using PPE for over 6 hours daily, were enrolled. Clinical examination was conducted to document dermatological complications.
Results: Of the participants enrolled, 34.3% were males and 65.7% were females (mean age 35.31 ± 10.3 years). Among the reported adverse dermatological signs and symptoms, xeroderma was the most frequently observed, affecting almost 70.1% of participants.70.1% of participants. Other prominent dermatological manifestations included itching (13.4%), burning sensations (11.2%), skin fissures (2.2%), erythema (1.5%), and scaling (1.5%) were also noted. Notably, xeroderma was particularly prevalent among nursing staff.
Conclusion: Healthcare workers faced dermatological adverse effects due to the extended use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This highlights the need for preventive measures to reduce the adverse cutaneous effects, by improving PPE design and consistent skincare practices.
Keywords: COVID-19 Pandemic, Dermatological manifestations, Healthcare workers, Personal Protective Equipment PPE, Xeroderma.