THE RISK OF OCCUPATIONAL CONTACT DERMATITIS IN COVID-19 ISOLATION WARD SETTING

I MUSHTAQ; A JAMIL; FNK AWAN; A MALIK; JH QAMBER; MS AKHTAR

doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v2023i1.426

Authors

I MUSHTAQ Department of Dermatology, CMH Multan, Pakistan
A JAMIL Department of Dermatology, Azra Naheed Medical and Dental College Lahore, Pakistan
FNK AWAN Department of Dermatology, THQ Hospital Safdarabad, Pakistan
A MALIK University College of Medicine and Dentistry/University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Pakistan
JH QAMBER Department of Physiology Sahara Medical College, Narowal, Pakistan
MS AKHTAR Department of Dermatology, University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v2023i1.426

Keywords:

Dermatitis, Allergy, COVID-19, Occupational contact dermatitis, healthcare professionals, Irritant contact dermatitis

Abstract

Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is a prevalent skin condition affecting healthcare workers, particularly those in high-risk environments such as COVID-19 isolation wards. This study aims to summarize the findings of a study conducted on patients to explore the risk factors associated with OCD development among healthcare professionals in COVID-19 isolation ward settings. This prospective observational study aimed to assess the risk of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) among healthcare professionals working in the COVID-19 isolation ward setting. The study was conducted at Chaudhary Mohammad Akram Hospital for six months, from November 2021 to April 2022. Data was collected from 150 participants of both genders. The participants ranged from 22 to 55 years, with a mean age of 32.5 ± 6.8 years. The study population consisted of 55% females and 45% males. The occupation distribution included doctors (40%), nurses (50%), and support staff (10%). Clinical evaluations revealed that 38 healthcare professionals (25.3%) exhibited signs consistent with occupational contact dermatitis. Among them, 18 participants (47.4%) were diagnosed with irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), while 20 participants (52.6%) showed signs indicative of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). It is concluded that this study highlights the significant prevalence of occupational contact dermatitis among healthcare professionals in COVID-19 isolation wards. Prolonged PPE usage and frequent hand hygiene practices contribute to skin irritation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Coman, G., Zinsmeister, C., and Norris, P. (2015). Occupational contact dermatitis: Workers’ compensation patch test results of Portland, Oregon, 2005–2014. Dermatitis 26, 276-283.

Filon, F. L., Bochdanovits, L., Capuzzo, C., Cerchi, R., and Rui, F. (2014). Ten years incidence of natural rubber latex sensitization and symptoms in a prospective cohort of health care workers using non-powdered latex gloves 2000-2009. International archives of occupational and environmental health 87, 463.

Kersh, A. E., Johansen, M., Ojeaga, A., and de la Feld, S. (2021). Hand dermatitis in the time of COVID-19: a review of occupational irritant contact dermatitis. Dermatitis 32, 86-93.

Larese Filon, F., Pesce, M., Paulo, M. S., Loney, T., Modenese, A., John, S. M., Kezic, S., and Macan, J. (2021). Incidence of occupational contact dermatitis in healthcare workers: a systematic review. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 35, 1285-1289.

Liu, N.-N., Tan, J.-C., Li, J., Li, S., Cai, Y., and Wang, H. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic: experiences in China and implications for its prevention and treatment worldwide. Current cancer drug targets 20, 410-416.

Olusegun, O. A., and Martincigh, B. S. (2021). Allergic contact dermatitis: a significant environmental and occupational skin disease. International Journal of Dermatology 60, 1082-1091.

Piapan, L., Bramuzzo, D., Rui, F., and Filon, F. L. (2022). Incidence of skin diseases in healthcare workers before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic at Trieste hospitals (northeastern Italy). Contact Dermatitis 87, 492-499.

Purnamasari, I., Murtiastutik, D., Listiawan, M. Y., Ervianti, E., Sari, M., Widyantari, S., and Hidayati, A. N. (2021). A Retrospective Study: Characteristics and Management of Gonorrhea. Berkala Ilmu Kesehatan Kulit dan Kelamin 33, 1-7.

Sawada, Y. (2023). Occupational Skin Dermatitis among Healthcare Workers Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review of the Literature. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24, 2989.

Stocks, S. J., McNamee, R., Van Der Molen, H. F., Paris, C., Urban, P., Campo, G., Sauni, R., Jarreta, B. M., Valenty, M., and Godderis, L. (2015). Trends in incidence of occupational asthma, contact dermatitis, noise-induced hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders in European countries from 2000 to 2012. Occupational and environmental medicine 72, 294-303.

Visser, M. J., Verberk, M. M., van Dijk, F. J., Bakker, J. G., Bos, J. D., and Kezic, S. (2014). Wet work and hand eczema in apprentice nurses; part I of a prospective cohort study. Contact Dermatitis 70, 44-55.

Yuindartanto, A., Prakoeswa, C. R. S., Anggraeni, S., Umborowati, M. A., Zulkarnain, I., Listiawan, M. Y., and Hidayati, A. N. (2023). Epidemiology of Occupational Contact Dermatitis (OCD) on health workers in Covid-19. Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists 33, 220-234.

Zaino, M. L., and Huecker, M. R. (2021). The Impact of SARs-CoV-2 on Occupational Skin Disease Found in Physicians. Workplace Health & Safety 69, 485-485.