| Abstract [eng] |
Aim of the study. To evaluate the changes in facial skin of health care workers, possible risk factors and causes for their occurence and review the facial skin care measures applied during the Covid-19 pandemic. Material and methods. The original, anonymous, one-moment survey during January-March 2022 was distributed on the internet and in medical institutions of Vilnius city interviewing 356 health care workers. The questionnaire consisted of 27 questions with one or multiple possible options. Data was processed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS 26.0. Differences were considered staistically significant when p<0,05. Results. During the pandemic 63,2% (N=225) subjects developed facial skin problems (DFSP) and 36,8% (N=131) did not develop facial skin problems (NDFSP). Acne (54,2%) and dryness (42,2%) were the most common ones, affecting cheeks (56%) and chin areas (50,2%) the most. As much as 46,2% DFSP respondents indicated that they changed their face moisturizer during the pandemic and 41,9% DFSP – facial cleanser. Long-term facemask wearing (89,2%) and stress (66,8%) were the most common mentioned risk factors for facial skin problems. During the Covid-19 pandemic 85,7% DFSP and 61% NDFSP experienced more stress at work than usual. Developed sleep problems (48,4%) and new onset or worsened anxiety (46,2%) were the most common complaint in the DFSP group and the NDFSP did not express any additional complaints. Conclusions. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents had facial skin problems during the pandemic. The main causes of the problems were long-term facemask wearing and the stress. More than half of the subjects in both groups experienced more stress at work during the pandemic and used walking and being in nature to help to reduce it. Sleep problems and anxiety were the most common complaints in the group with developed facial skin problems, when group which did not develop facial skin problems did not have any other complaints. |
