Characterisation of superficial corneocytes in skin areas of the face exposed to prolonged usage of respirators by healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Prolonged respirator use in healthcare workers did not alter corneocyte properties over time. However, increased corneodesmosomes and immature corneocyte envelopes on the cheek correlated with more reported skin issues.
Area Of Science
- Dermatology
- Epidemiology
- Materials Science
Background
- Healthcare workers (HCWs) experienced adverse skin effects from prolonged respirator use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The stratum corneum (SC) and its corneocytes are crucial for skin barrier function.
- Understanding corneocyte changes is vital for managing respirator-associated skin complications.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate alterations in corneocytes (stratum corneum cells) due to prolonged and consecutive respirator use.
- To assess changes in immature corneocyte envelopes (CEs) and corneodesmosomes (CDs) as indicators of skin barrier health.
- To correlate corneocyte properties with biophysical measurements and self-reported skin reactions.
Main Methods
- A longitudinal cohort study involving 17 HCWs using respirators daily.
- Corneocytes collected via tape stripping from respirator-contact sites (cheek) and control sites.
- Analysis of immature CEs and desmoglein-1 (Dsg1) as markers for CDs, alongside Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) and SC hydration measurements.
Main Results
- Significant inter-subject variability in corneocyte markers was observed.
- While no time-dependent changes in corneocyte properties were found, CDs were higher on the respirator-loaded cheek (p < 0.05).
- Lower immature CE levels correlated with higher TEWL (p < 0.01), and fewer immature CEs/CDs were linked to fewer reported skin reactions (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
- This study is the first to examine corneocyte changes under mechanical loading from respirators.
- Elevated CDs and immature CEs on the cheek, compared to control sites, were consistently observed.
- Corneocyte characteristics may play a role in evaluating skin health and damage from respirator use, warranting further investigation.
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