Abstract BACKGROUND: Strict use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand hygiene measures following the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased incidence of adverse skin reactions among health care workers (HCWs). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of adverse skin reactions on face and hands due to PPE, and the various factors associated with its occurrence. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted among doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and housekeeping staff. RESULTS: Out of 256 HCWs enrolled in the study, 75 (29.3%) reported to have symptoms over hand, including dryness (51, 69.9%), itching and burning sensation. Housekeeping staff (41.3%) were found to be more prone to develop skin lesions on hands ( P = 0.001). Atopy ( P = 0.026) and handling of chemicals ( P = 0.011) were found to be significant risk factors. 58 HCWs reported having symptoms on the face, including dryness (24), acneiform eruption (25), and erythema (21). Doctors (52.1%, P = 0.001), HCWs using same mask on more than 1 day ( P = 0.005), and those using 3-ply mask were found to be more prone to occurrence of skin lesions on face. CONCLUSION: There is increased frequency of hand washing and disinfectant use, and increased duration of wearing disposable gloves and face masks after the onset of the pandemic. More than one-third of the participants had an adverse skin reaction on either hand or face or both. Factors contributing were duration of PPE used, frequency of hand hygiene measures, presence of atopy, reuse of masks, handling of irritants and specific job pattern.
Selvarajan et al. (2025) studied this question.