Contact dermatitis due to personal protective equipment use and hygiene practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review of case reports

Authors

Zouina Sarfraz, Fatima Jinnah Medical University
Azza Sarfraz, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Muzna Sarfraz, King Edward Medical University
Miguel Felix, Respiralab Research Group
Jonathan A. Bernstein, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Luz Fonacier, State University of New York at Stony Brook
Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda, Respiralab Research Group

Document Type

Review Article

Department

Paediatrics and Child Health

Abstract

Background: Prolonged use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may lead to contact dermatitis during the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This paper aims to identify the causative factors of contact dermatitis from PPE and hygiene practices.
Methods: The search was conducted adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A Delphi process was employed to ensure that the aims of this study were met. PubMed and Web of Science databases were systematically searched through September 12, 2021, using search terms: Contact dermatitis, case report, covid-19. The findings were tabulated as author/year, gender, age, presentation, cause, dermatological diagnosis, testing modality, provided treatment, symptom resolution (time in days), prognosis, and follow-up.
Results: The mean age of all individuals was 29.75 years, with 75% females. All cases presented with erythema, with 62.5% reporting pruritus and 37.5% reporting burning facial symptoms. Surgical masks and hand-hygiene products (37.5%) were the most commonly reported causative agent with 25% due to KN95/FFP type 2 use. Allergic contact dermatitis (50%) and irritant contact dermatitis (25%) were common diagnoses. Treatments included creams, emollients, and desloratadine, with restriction of irritant-causing factors. The prognosis was generally good among the cases, with 62.5% presenting complete resolution within a week and 12.5% showing moderate improvement at the fourth month after discontinuing use.
Conclusion: This study finds pertinent links between PPE use and contact dermatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many cases are bound to go underreported in literature, well-designed, large-scale studies in the future may help promote these associations in a more comprehensive manner.

Comments

Issue, and pagination are not provided by the author/publisher

Publication (Name of Journal)

Annals of Medicine and Surgery

Recommended Citation

Sarfraz, Z., Sarfraz, A., Sarfraz, M., Felix, M., Bernstein, J. A., Fonacier, L., Cherrez-Ojeda, I. (2022). Contact dermatitis due to personal protective equipment use and hygiene practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review of case reports. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 74.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_women_childhealth_paediatr/1111

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.