Table V.
Proposed solutions
| Category | Specific solutions∗ |
|---|---|
| Protection and self-care of individuals | Regular use of emollients12,13,18,19,22, 23, 24 |
| Proper mask and PPE fitting12,13,17 | |
| Application of gauze at pressure areas before donning N95 mask12,22 | |
| Protection of the HCW workforce | Revision of working hours to allow skin rest9,13,24,25 |
| Education on common skin symptoms, basic treatment, and the importance of consistent skin care13,20,24 | |
| Early consultation with a dermatologist or occupational health specialist for persistent or severe cases12,24,25 | |
| Performance of patch testing in suspected cases of contact dermatitis17 | |
| Long-term protection and prevention | Telemedicine for quick and convenient consultations |
| Improved design of N95 masks to better fit Asian facial features and, hence, reduce facial pressure injuries | |
| Combination of moisturizers with alcohol-based hand rubs | |
| Use of less allergenic materials to make gloves23,24,26 | |
| Development of more situation-specific and comfortable PPE20 | |
| Use of QoL scores (such as DLQI) in evaluating the impact of interventions13,21 |
DLQI, Dermatology life quality index; HCW, health care worker; PPE, personal protective equipment; QoL, quality of life.
∗
Numbers specify the references in which each solution was suggested, if any.