RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 PPE-associated dermatoses: effect on work and wellbeing
JF Future Healthcare Journal
JO Future Healthc J
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP e67
OP e69
DO 10.7861/fhj.2020-0210
VO 8
IS 1
A1 Aarthy K Uthayakumar
A1 Evangelia Panagou
A1 Seshi Manam
A1 Anna Schauer
A1 Ophelia Veraitch
A1 Steve Walker
A1 Emma Edmonds
A1 Jennifer Crawley
A1 Claire Martyn-Simmons
YR 2021
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/8/1/e67.abstract
AB 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.