Prevalence of interdigital pilonidal sinus in hair professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Interdigital Pilonidal Sinus (IPNS), also known as barber's disease, is a rare occupational disease that affects hairdressers and barbers. It develops when customers' hair penetrates the webspace between the fingers, causing a foreign body reaction. This cross-sectional study, conducted across all five governorates in Bahrain, aimed to investigate the prevalence of IPNS among hairdressers and barbers in Bahrain. A total of 479 participants (253 male and 226 female) from 384 hairdressing salons and barbershops were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Participants' age, hand dominance, nationality, smoking status, work experience, hygiene habits, and medical comorbidities were assessed through an interview-administered questionnaire. No cases of IPNS were identified in the study group; however, two male participants reported having Pilonidal Sinus (PNS) in the sacrococcygeal region. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when rigorous hygiene practices were likely adopted due to government-enforced regulations. The absence of IPNS observed in the study group could be attributed to enhanced hygiene practices. It is also plausible that the association between IPNS and barbering was more of an exaggerated assumption adopted over time, rather than a causal relationship. Despite the limitations of the cross-sectional design, this study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of IPNS among hairdressers and barbers in Bahrain and underscores the importance of good hygiene practices in preventing infections. Future longitudinal studies are recommended to explore potential risk factors for IPNS in hair professionals.