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

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.