Clinical Evaluation and Patch Testing of Personal Protective Equipment-Related Allergic Contact Dermatitis During COVID-19 among Health Care Workers

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common skin condition that causes significant disruption of a country?s economy as a result of rising school and work-related absenteeism besides the persistent medical expenses. The COVID-19 pandemic in India is a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). During the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) both healthcare workers and the general population have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and are therefore susceptible to PPE-related adverse skin. Aims and Objectives: To Clinically evaluate allergic contact dermatitis due to component of PPE among healthcare workers and confirm it by Patch testing. To study the association between the duration of exposure of an antigen required for clinical manifestation of allergic contact dermatitis (by difference in mean duration) to components of personal protective equipment used during COVID-19 pandemic. To find out the most allergic component of PPE reactions. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 75 healthcare workers who worked during COVID 19 Pandemic and have used PPE and diagnosed with ACD attending the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy at tertiary care hospital in western Rajasthan and relevant history, clinical examination and patch test were done using standard protocols. Conclusion: The increased use of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in ACD among healthcare workers. Patch testing is crucial for diagnosis and management. Recommendations include public education, safer material use, and policy-based interventions to reduce occupational skin diseases.