Personal protective equipment-related occupational dermatoses during COVID-19 among health care workers: a worldwide systematic review
Keng, Bryan M.H. ; Gan, Wee Hoe ; Tam, Yew Chong ; Oh, Choon Chiat
2021
5
December
85-95
epidemic disease ; occupational disease ; dermatitis ; personal protective equipment ; healthcare worker
Occupational diseases
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdin.2021.08.004
English
Bibliogr.;Statistics
"Background
Occupational dermatoses caused by personal protective equipment (PPE) in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are emerging occupational health challenges that must be promptly and effectively addressed to ease burden on our health care workers.
Objective
A systematic review was conducted to determine common PPE-related dermatoses, affected body sites, and implicated occupational contactants. We further proposed solutions to mitigate this problem.
Methods
Online databases were searched for articles on PPE-related dermatoses in health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic written in English and published from January 1, 2020, to January 30, 2021.
Results
Sixteen studies, including a total of 3958 participants, were included. The most common dermatoses were xerosis, pressure-related erythema, and contact dermatitis, mainly affecting the face and hands. The most widely implicated contactants were increased frequency of hand hygiene, gloves, N95 masks, and goggles. Proposed solutions were categorized as individual self-care, protection of the workforce, and long-term preventive measures."
Digital
The ETUI is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the ETUI.