The aim of this study was to evaluate the skin problems and dermatological life quality of the health care workers (HCWs) due to personal protection equipment (PPE) use, who are at high risk for Covid‐19 infection. A questionnaire about HCWs' PPE use, their skin symptoms, and prevention, management methods and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was fulfilled. The median age of 440 participants was 33.5 (21.0‐65.0) years old. Skin problems were found to be 90.2%, the most common were dryness, itching, cracking, burning, flaking, peeling and lichenification. The presence of skin problems (P < 0.001) was higher in those who did not use moisturizers. Of all, 22.3% (n = 98) stated that the use of PPE increased the severity of their previously diagnosed skin diseases and allergies (P < 0.01). Only 28.0% (n = 123) stated that they know the skin symptoms that may develop by using PPE. The proper hand washing rate was higher as education level increased (P < 0.001). Skin problems were higher in those using mask with metal nose bridge (p:0.02; p:0.003, respectively). As the mask using period prolonged, acne was more common (p:0.02). DLQI was significantly affected in women (P = 0.003), and with increased skin problems related to PPE (P < 0.001).It is important to organize trainings on prevention and management of possible skin symptoms due to PPE use according to guidelines.
It has been reported that dermatology practices may be a vector for SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission and elective cases should be postponed during the pandemic period. In this context, studies on the change of patient profile in Dermatology outpatient clinic have been conducted. However, there was no study in the literature about dermatology consultations during the pandemic period. 147 Dermatology consultation cases in the era of COVID‐19 pandemic between March 11, 2020 and May 4, 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. 24 patients (16.3%) had suspicion and signs of COVID during consultation (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.). 9 (37.5%) of these patients also had accompanying COVID‐19 skin lesions (2 urticarial lesions, 2 livedo and necrosis, 2 maculopapular eruption, 2 vesicular rashes, 1 pseudo‐chilblain). The number of cases that were suspected to have COVID‐19 was statistically significantly higher in consultations requested by the emergency department and intensive care unit, while there were no suspected cases in outpatient clinic consultations (P = 0.001). 2 (1.4%) of these patients were diagnosed with COVID‐19 confirmed by PCR within 2 weeks. We acknowledge that daily practice changes frequently during this period, but still our study provides a perspective to other dermatology clinics in terms of the requested dermatology consultations during the pandemic.