Adverse skin reactions among healthcare workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak: a survey in Wuhan and its surrounding regions

The role of occupational dermatology in the COVID‐19 outbreak

“…HCWs caring for COVID-19 patients have to wear for many hours, on a daily basis, specific personal protective equipment (PPE) and are therefore susceptible to PPE-related adverse skin reactions. 3 It has been reported that up to 97% of HCWs showed skin lesions related to the enhanced protection measures, mainly affecting the nasal bridge, cheek, forehead, and hands. 1,3,4 The facial lesions are secondary not only to the prolonged use of N95 FFP3 masks, but mainly to goggles, which were implicated in most injuries.…”

“…3 It has been reported that up to 97% of HCWs showed skin lesions related to the enhanced protection measures, mainly affecting the nasal bridge, cheek, forehead, and hands. 1,3,4 The facial lesions are secondary not only to the prolonged use of N95 FFP3 masks, but mainly to goggles, which were implicated in most injuries. Hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rubs is widely used as one of the most effective, simple, and low-cost procedures against COVID-19 cross-transmission.…”

“…Because coronavirus was found to survive for several hours on used PPE, double gloving can reduce the risks of viral contamination during PPE removal and is therefore recommended. 3 These procedures may lead to hand dermatitis with symptoms that can vary from quite mild to debilitating, including dryness, irritation, itching, and even fissuring and bleeding. 1,3,4 The problem of hand dermatitis is very important for many aspects.…”

“…3 These procedures may lead to hand dermatitis with symptoms that can vary from quite mild to debilitating, including dryness, irritation, itching, and even fissuring and bleeding. 1,3,4 The problem of hand dermatitis is very important for many aspects. First, hand dermatitis due to frequent washing may create a route of entry for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); indeed, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the receptor for the virus, is richly expressed in the skin on blood vessels, basal cells, hair follicles, eccrine glands.…”

“…Therefore, basic skin care measures should be taken after hand washing to address these aspects. 3 To this end, several measures to avoid hand dermatitis, maceration, and erosion due to PPE and handwashing during the pandemic have been proposed. 4 Although the application of hand cream/moisturizers on intact skin after hand washing is recommended, 6 only 22.1% applied hand creams after washing.…”