Biophysical and biochemical changes in skin health of healthcare professionals using respirators during COVID-19 pandemic.
Nkemjika S AbiakamHemalatha JayabalKay MitchellDan BaderPeter WorsleyPublished in: Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) (2022)
The most sensitive objective parameter in detecting changes in the skin barrier proved to be the increase in TEWL at the nasal bridge, particularly on the second day of consecutive respirator usage. By contrast, other measures of skin were less able to detect remarkable variations in the barrier integrity. Consideration for protecting skin health is required for frontline workers, who continue to wear respirators for prolonged periods over consecutive days during the pandemic.