Alterações cutâneas durante a pandemia da covid-19: vivências de profissionais de saúde

Abstract

COVID-19 is caused by SARS-COV-2, and healthcare workers are at greater risk of infection due to caring for positive patients, in addition to the risk of developing skin lesions associated with personal protective equipment (PPE) and more frequent hand washing. The aim of the study was to report the experiences of healthcare professionals in relation to the appearance of skin alterations during the COVID-19 pandemic in a university hospital. This is a descriptive, qualitative study carried out in an intensive care unit. The inclusion criteria were professionals who worked between March 2020 and March 2022. Professionals who were on leave, on vacation or who refused were excluded. An interview script was drawn up, data was collected in January 2023 and subjected to Bardin analysis. Ten health professionals took part and reported dry skin and appendages, pressure injuries caused by the use of PPE, products for prevention using moisturizer and band-aid® and treatment with anti-inflammatories and skin repair creams. It was found that the uninterrupted use of PPE led to the appearance of pressure injuries caused by medical devices, which makes continuing education on injury prevention and treatment essential.