TY - JOUR T1 - PPE-associated dermatoses: effect on work and wellbeing JF - Future Healthcare Journal JO - Future Healthc J DO - 10.7861/fhj.2020-0210 SP - fhj.2020-0210 AU - Aarthy K Uthayakumar AU - Evangelia Panagou AU - Seshi Manam AU - Anna Schauer AU - Ophelia Veraitch AU - Steve Walker AU - Emma Edmonds AU - Jennifer Crawley AU - Claire Martyn-Simmons Y1 - 2021/02/10 UR - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/early/2021/02/09/fhj.2020-0210.abstract N2 - The COVID-19 pandemic has led to more stringent infection control practice within hospitals, with the added requirement of personal protective equipment (PPE). Consequentially, the incidence of PPE-related dermatoses in healthcare workers is increasing. Analysis of staff members seen in a dermatology self-referral service during the first COVID-19 peak revealed a wide range of healthcare professionals being affected, with irritant hand dermatitis and acneiform eruptions being the commonest diagnoses. These PPE-related dermatoses had significant effects on staff members' work and wellbeing, which improved following assessment and treatment by dermatology. Given the change to our behaviour wearing PPE daily, which is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, the consequences will inevitably affect both healthcare workers and the general public, with these common dermatoses presenting in both primary and secondary care. It is therefore imperative to recognise both the physical and emotional impact that COVID-19 PPE has, and initiate prompt treatment to improve wellbeing. ER -