Pradhan Swetalina, Nimavat Nirav, Mangrola Nidhi, Singh Shruti, Lohani Pallavi, Mandala Gowthamm, Kumar Rajesh, Sinha Nishi, Singh Sunil Kumar
Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna, Patna, IND.
Community Medicine, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Science, Bhuj, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Apr 12;16(4):e58097. doi: 10.7759/cureus.58097. eCollection 2024 Apr.
The widespread utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic has been crucial for reducing transmission risk among healthcare workers (HCWs) and the public. However, the extensive use of PPE has brought about potential adverse reactions, particularly among HCWs. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of adverse skin reactions associated with PPE use among different categories of HCWs, including faculty, residents, and nursing officers (NOs), in a dedicated tertiary care COVID-19 hospital. The study design was a hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study conducted over one month, involving a total of 240 participants. The participants were required to complete a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire that covered demographic information, PPE-related data, preventive measures, observed reactions, and self-management strategies. Results indicated that adverse skin reactions were common among HCWs, with reactions reported by all participants. The most commonly used PPE included N95 masks, goggles, gloves, face shields, isolation gowns, and medical protective clothing. Excessive sweating (60% residents, 21.1% NOs, and 16.25% faculties), facial rash, dry palms (>70% of HCWs), and itching were among the most prevalent adverse reactions. Urticarial lesions (28.5% among NOs), pressure marks and pain (100% on the cheek among all HCWs), fungal infections (18.5% among residents at the web space of fingers), and skin breakdown were also reported. Factors such as age, gender, pre-existing skin problems, and oily/acne-prone skin history were found to be significantly associated with adverse skin reactions. In conclusion, the findings highlight the common adverse reactions reported by HCWs during the use of different PPEs. Certain steps taken by HCWs for the prevention of adverse reactions due to PPE emphasize the importance of tailored preventive measures and strategies to mitigate these adverse reactions, such as proper PPE selection, well-fitting equipment, regular breaks, and appropriate skincare practices. These insights contribute to the development of guidelines for optimal PPE usage and support the well-being of HCWs in their essential roles.
在新冠疫情期间，广泛使用个人防护装备（PPE）对于降低医护人员（HCW）和公众之间的传播风险至关重要。然而，PPE的广泛使用带来了潜在的不良反应，尤其是在医护人员中。本研究旨在调查一家专门的三级护理新冠医院中不同类别的医护人员（包括教员、住院医师和护理主任（NO））中与使用PPE相关的皮肤不良反应的发生率和特征。研究设计为一项基于医院的横断面分析研究，为期一个月，共涉及240名参与者。参与者需要完成一份经过预测试的半结构化问卷，该问卷涵盖人口统计学信息、与PPE相关的数据、预防措施、观察到的反应以及自我管理策略。结果表明，皮肤不良反应在医护人员中很常见，所有参与者均报告有反应。最常用的PPE包括N95口罩、护目镜、手套、面罩、隔离衣和医用防护服。多汗（60%的住院医师、21.1%的护理主任和16.25%的教员）、面部皮疹、手掌干燥（超过70%的医护人员）和瘙痒是最常见的不良反应。还报告了荨麻疹病变（护理主任中为28.5%）、压痕和疼痛（所有医护人员脸颊处均为100%）、真菌感染（住院医师手指间皮肤褶皱处为18.5%）以及皮肤破损。年龄、性别、既往皮肤问题以及油性/易长痤疮皮肤史等因素被发现与皮肤不良反应显著相关。总之，研究结果突出了医护人员在使用不同PPE期间报告的常见不良反应。医护人员为预防PPE引起的不良反应而采取的某些措施强调了量身定制预防措施和策略以减轻这些不良反应的重要性，例如正确选择PPE、设备合身、定期休息以及适当的皮肤护理措施。这些见解有助于制定最佳PPE使用指南，并支持医护人员在其重要工作中的健康。
