Adverse skin reactions among health care workers using face personal protective equipment during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A cross‐sectional survey of six hospitals in Denmark

Abstract

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) report frequent adverse skin reactions (ASRs) due to face personal protective equipment (F-PPE) use during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Objectives: To describe self-reported ASRs among HCWs using F-PPE; investigate background factors, such as chronic skin diseases and skin types (dry, oily, combination, sensitive), and determine whether HCWs took preventive methods against ASRs.Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to 22 993 HCWs at hospitals. Results:The prevalence of ASRs was 61.9% based on 10 287 responders. Different types of F-PPE caused different reactions. The most common ASRs from surgical masks were spots and pimples (37.2%) and from FFP3 masks was red and irritated skin (27.3%).A significantly higher proportion of HCWs with chronic skin diseases had ASRs (71.6%) than those without chronic skin diseases (59.7%) (P < .001). Some skin types were more prone to ASRs (sensitive skin [78.8%] vs dry skin [54.3%]; P = .001). HCWs using F-PPE for >6 hours versus <3 hours per day had a four times higher ASR risk (P = <.001). Nearly all HCWs used preventive and/or counteractive methods (94.2%).Conclusions: It is important to consider background factors, such as chronic skin diseases and skin types, to prevent and counteract ASRs due to F-PPE use.

Facial dermatoses and use of protective mask during Covid‐19 pandemic: A clinical and psychological evaluation in patients affected by moderate–severe atopic dermatitis under treatment with dupilumab

“…Considering current studies, [7][8][9][10][11] we might have expected a higher prevalence of patients with facial eczema in the group taken in charge and treated in the post-pandemic period, because of mask use; however, our analysis did not reveal statistically significant differences between the two periods (p-value = 0.7618). This result is, however, only apparently in contrast with literature: previous studies, have reported that AD patients are more prone to adverse face skin reactions but these assessments have been limited to healthcare workers (HCWs) who wear masks daily and for several consecutive hours.…”

“…Several publications concerning inflammatory skin diseases worsened by RPE have been recently disclosed in literature. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 Notably, face masks can cause adverse facial dermatoses and exacerbate underlying dermatology conditions, like acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis. 7 , 8 , 9 However, very few studies focus on the impact of masks on face eczema in AD patients.…”

Protective equipment-related pressure ulcers in healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

“…More than 4000 healthcare workers were accessed in two multicenter studies. It was seen that sample size was at least 10 [ 14 ], and up to 10287 [ 35 ]. In 15 studies [ [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , 42 ], majority of the sample was composed of nurses.…”

“…It was seen that sample size was at least 10 [ 14 ], and up to 10287 [ 35 ]. In 15 studies [ [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , 42 ], majority of the sample was composed of nurses. The results of the relevant studies were given in Table 1 .…”

“…Sweating and daily PPE usage time were found to be correlated with skin injuries [ 15 ]. It was also indicated that healthcare professionals using F-PPE for more than 6 h per day had four-times higher ASR risk compared to those using less than 3 h [ 35 ].…”