Volume 26, Issue 126, August 2022

Skin Damages among healthcare workers caused by enhanced infection-control measures during COVID-19 pandemic – A cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia

Salim Ali Algaadi^1♦, Abdulaziz Saqer A Alanazi², Saleh Asaad Hamad Alsaadoon², Abdulrahman Ali Abdullah Alqabbani², Saud Abdulaziz Saud Alomair²

¹Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
²Medical Intern, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of occupational skin diseases among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in a general hospital in the center of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March – May 2021, at King Khaled General Hospital, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed among healthcare professionals. The questionnaire asked about the severity of skin damage and the frequency or duration of various infection-prevention measures. Results: About 68.2% had newly onset of obvious skin damage while 31.8 % didn’t had the skin damages, 21.6% of the new onset of obvious skin damages on fingertips, 46.6% in hands, 22.4% in palms, 3.4% on the face, and 6.0% under the eyes. Around 30% of the symptoms at the damaged site had itching, 44.7% dryness, 12.8% burning/pain, and 12.8% had tenderness. Around 17% of the type of skin lesion was peeling, 28.2% fissure, 18.8% erosion/ulcer, 24.7% redness, 4.7% papule (pimples), and 7.1% were others. Conclusion: Due to heightened preventive measures, frontline doctors are at a higher risk of acquiring skin damage. To address the risk factors and limit skin damage, appropriate measures should be performed. For the best results, persistent instances should be referred to a dermatologist.

Keywords: COVID-19; protection; skin diseases, skin damage, side effects

Medical Science, 2022, 26, ms321e2148

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v26i126/ms321e2148

Published: 03 August 2022