The change in the frequency and severity of facial dermatoses and complaints in healthcare workers during the COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, the increased use of PPEs may lead to facial skin complaints. AIMS: This survey study aims to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on facial dermatoses and complaints. METHODS: A total of 1017 volunteers (age 18-60 years), consisting of healthcare workers, participated in the study. In the present study, healthcare professionals were screened for facial dermatoses and complaints between 1 and 15 April 2021 with an online survey. RESULTS: The vast majority of the survey were women (82.4%) and between 26 and 35 years old (49.2%). The most new-onset facial complaints were acne (25.3%) and lip dryness (29.2%). Along with the pandemic, 50.9% of patients with seborrheic dermatitis had an increase in lesions. Another remarkable result was a 60.5% increase in acne complaints. Moreover, the rate of exacerbations of rosacea, melasma, and lip dryness was increased after the COVID-19 pandemic (39.1%, 22.0%, and 42.7%, respectively). Exacerbations of seborrheic dermatitis, acne, and lip dryness have occurred more frequently in females when compared to males (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The current pandemic has had serious impacts on facial dermatoses which had to be managed carefully. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, there was a significant increase in the frequency and severity of complaints in facial dermatoses related to PPE. If the complaints that may develop due to PPE are known in advance, their development can be prevented by taking precautions against them.

The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Patients with Lymphedema.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a challenge to management of lymphedema. The aim of this study was to assess general health conditions and evaluate the problems and concerns of lymphedema patients with regard to access to care and provision of management and control follow-ups during the lockdown period between March and June 2020. Methods: A web-based online survey, which included questions about demographic and clinical properties, compliance with restrictions and self-management, complications, needs, and difficulties in accessing health care, as well as the presence of psychological symptoms, was applied. Results: Two hundred three patients (190 female and 13 male) replied. Majority of them (73.4%) were between 30 and 60 years old and had high school/university education (67%). The duration of lymphedema was more than 3 years and sites were commonly extremities with mild to moderate intensity in 70.5% patients. Majority of them adhered to stay home warnings (88.7%). Weight gain was a common problem and self-care methods were generally skipped (81.8%). Seventeen percent of them had wounds and/or cellulitis. Forty percent of patients needed to apply to health centers to renew the pressure garment, but could not reach it. More than 70% of patients had sleep disorders and anxiety/stress. Majority of patients used television and social media to get information related to COVID-19 and the exposure time was commonly 2 to 6 hours. Conclusions: The COVID-19 lockdown had a great impact on lymphedema patients' health care not only from medical but also from psychosocial aspects. All these implications have to be identified and dealt with properly to avoid concerns and consequences of future pandemic lockdowns. Lymphedema services should be well prepared to be delivered virtually, enable effective care, and share knowledge to meet the needs of patients suffering from lymphedema.