Dermatological impact of hand hygiene practices during COVID‐19: A cross‐sectional web‐based survey among doctors in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India

Abstract

Background The COVID‐19 pandemic continues to persist throughout the world with intermittent exacerbation. The changing trend of hand hygiene practices during this pandemic has led to new onset or aggravation of pre‐existing hand eczema, especially among doctors. There is a paucity of studies regarding skin changes seen with changing hand hygiene practices in the Indian subcontinent. Objectives To estimate the frequency of various cutaneous manifestations and associated factors with hand hygiene practices in doctors during COVID‐19 via a web‐based online questionnaire survey. Methods It was a cross‐sectional web‐based survey conducted at a tertiary care teaching institute from July 2021 to September 2021. Those doctors (faculty, residents, and interns) of the hospital completing the questionnaire with electronic informed consent were included in the study. Results A total of 143 doctors completed the survey. The most common symptoms were dryness in 60 (42%) and itching in 25 (17.5%) doctors. The most common skin changes were scaling in 30 (21%) and redness in 16 (11.2%) doctors. There was a significant association between skin changes and frequency of hand washing and hand sanitizer use ( p value < 0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of hand changes and symptoms was 77% in doctors in our study. The most commonly seen hand changes were scaling followed by redness and symptoms observed were dryness and itching.

Contact dermatitis caused by prevention measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review

“…ABHS users were more easily to experience pruritus (8.13%), while soapy water users were more easily to experience peeling (12.9%), rashes (7.46%) and AFSH users were more easily to experience skin color changes (13.33%) ( 9 ). These numbers were analogical to the findings reported by Dash et al ( 93 ), Abdi et al ( 29 ) and Cebeci et al ( 94 ).…”

Adolescents’ Knowledge and Attitudes Related to Hand Eczema: A Cross-Sectional Study

“… 6 During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, recommended hand hygienic procedures (frequent washing, using disinfectants) contributed to increased incidence of HE. 7 , 8 Many people suffered from hand lesions of various intensity. HE became a hot topic of special interest to the whole population.…”

“…HE became a hot topic of special interest to the whole population. 7 , 8 The aim of the current study was to assess adolescents’ knowledge of HE, with special attention paid to the use of hand cream. We believe that the obtained results could be important for future professional prevention and management programs.…”