Assessment of sunscreen effects in photosensitivity under UV exposure during COVID-19 pandemic

The aim of this work was to assess the effects of typical and optimal use of sunscreens in photosensitivity under UV exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 participants to find out about photosensitivity in COVID-19 pandemic using a validated qu...

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Main Authors: Sara Mumtaz, Atif Ali, Hajra Muhammad Sharif, Reem M. Aljowaie, Asma N. Alsaleh, Hira Khan, Muhammad Naeem, Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-12-01
Series:Journal of King Saud University: Science
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1018364723004329
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author Sara Mumtaz
Atif Ali
Hajra Muhammad Sharif
Reem M. Aljowaie
Asma N. Alsaleh
Hira Khan
Muhammad Naeem
Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
author_facet Sara Mumtaz
Atif Ali
Hajra Muhammad Sharif
Reem M. Aljowaie
Asma N. Alsaleh
Hira Khan
Muhammad Naeem
Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
author_sort Sara Mumtaz
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this work was to assess the effects of typical and optimal use of sunscreens in photosensitivity under UV exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 participants to find out about photosensitivity in COVID-19 pandemic using a validated questionnaire involving demographic characteristics and Fitzpatrick skin type to measure skin phototypes that also included information about skin reactions upon sun exposure, the incidence of photosensitivity, and photoprotection behaviour. It was further extended by finding photosensitivity among 200 medical staff and patients that were recovered from COVID-19 infection. Next, the study involved 22 participants in two groups: optimal use with 2 mg per cm2 sunscreen and typical use for 7 days. The sunscreen used was an SPF 50+ product with various ingredients. Instrumental measurements were taken at baseline and 7th day visits to quantify skin melanin and erythema values. 54.9 % of participants had a history of photosensitivity, skin redness after sun exposure (38.0 %), skin protection (74.2 %), always using sunscreen (21.1 %), and applying sunscreen twice a day (12.2 %). A significant association between age, photoprotection behaviour, and photosensitivity was found. The incidence rate of photosensitivity in the population was 90/1000. 63.5 % of the participants agreed to specific skin related manifestations of COVID-19; preventive measures for COVID-19 infection made their skin sensitive (65 %); enhanced photosensitivity of the skin after taking preventive measures (53.5 %); use of hand sanitizers made their skin sensitive (63.5 %); and use of sunscreens was helpful in treating photosensitivity (58.5 %). In addition, there was a decrease in skin melanin and erythema values with optimal use of sunscreen and an increase in skin melanin and erythema values with typical use of sunscreen. When the paired sample t test was applied, the result was found to be significant. It was determined that the COVID-19 pandemic had a high incidence of photosensitivity. Skin sensitivity was increased by using hand sanitizers. Additionally, it is important to prioritise using sunscreen optimally to avoid skin photosensitization. More work on large numbers of participants of different populations in various regions is required in the direction of population guidance.
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spelling doaj.art-3ef293deb1734765b504ed5deacd9bce2023-11-17T05:25:22ZengElsevierJournal of King Saud University: Science1018-36472023-12-013510102970Assessment of sunscreen effects in photosensitivity under UV exposure during COVID-19 pandemicSara Mumtaz0Atif Ali1Hajra Muhammad Sharif2Reem M. Aljowaie3Asma N. Alsaleh4Hira Khan5Muhammad Naeem6Arshad Mehmood Abbasi7Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, PakistanDepartment of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan; Corresponding authors at: Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabd 22060, Pakistan (A. Ali). Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabd 22060, Pakistan (A. M. Abbasi).Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, PakistanDepartment of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pharmacy, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Havelian, Abbottabad 22500, PakistanShah Abdul Latif University, Department of Pharmacy, Khairpur, PakistanDepartment of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan; University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo, Piazza V. Emanuele II, I-12042 Bra/Pollenzo, Italy; Corresponding authors at: Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabd 22060, Pakistan (A. Ali). Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabd 22060, Pakistan (A. M. Abbasi).The aim of this work was to assess the effects of typical and optimal use of sunscreens in photosensitivity under UV exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 participants to find out about photosensitivity in COVID-19 pandemic using a validated questionnaire involving demographic characteristics and Fitzpatrick skin type to measure skin phototypes that also included information about skin reactions upon sun exposure, the incidence of photosensitivity, and photoprotection behaviour. It was further extended by finding photosensitivity among 200 medical staff and patients that were recovered from COVID-19 infection. Next, the study involved 22 participants in two groups: optimal use with 2 mg per cm2 sunscreen and typical use for 7 days. The sunscreen used was an SPF 50+ product with various ingredients. Instrumental measurements were taken at baseline and 7th day visits to quantify skin melanin and erythema values. 54.9 % of participants had a history of photosensitivity, skin redness after sun exposure (38.0 %), skin protection (74.2 %), always using sunscreen (21.1 %), and applying sunscreen twice a day (12.2 %). A significant association between age, photoprotection behaviour, and photosensitivity was found. The incidence rate of photosensitivity in the population was 90/1000. 63.5 % of the participants agreed to specific skin related manifestations of COVID-19; preventive measures for COVID-19 infection made their skin sensitive (65 %); enhanced photosensitivity of the skin after taking preventive measures (53.5 %); use of hand sanitizers made their skin sensitive (63.5 %); and use of sunscreens was helpful in treating photosensitivity (58.5 %). In addition, there was a decrease in skin melanin and erythema values with optimal use of sunscreen and an increase in skin melanin and erythema values with typical use of sunscreen. When the paired sample t test was applied, the result was found to be significant. It was determined that the COVID-19 pandemic had a high incidence of photosensitivity. Skin sensitivity was increased by using hand sanitizers. Additionally, it is important to prioritise using sunscreen optimally to avoid skin photosensitization. More work on large numbers of participants of different populations in various regions is required in the direction of population guidance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1018364723004329COVID-19 pandemicPhotosensitivitySunscreenPublic health
spellingShingle Sara Mumtaz
Atif Ali
Hajra Muhammad Sharif
Reem M. Aljowaie
Asma N. Alsaleh
Hira Khan
Muhammad Naeem
Arshad Mehmood Abbasi
Assessment of sunscreen effects in photosensitivity under UV exposure during COVID-19 pandemic
Journal of King Saud University: Science
COVID-19 pandemic
Photosensitivity
Sunscreen
Public health
title Assessment of sunscreen effects in photosensitivity under UV exposure during COVID-19 pandemic
title_full Assessment of sunscreen effects in photosensitivity under UV exposure during COVID-19 pandemic
title_fullStr Assessment of sunscreen effects in photosensitivity under UV exposure during COVID-19 pandemic
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of sunscreen effects in photosensitivity under UV exposure during COVID-19 pandemic
title_short Assessment of sunscreen effects in photosensitivity under UV exposure during COVID-19 pandemic
title_sort assessment of sunscreen effects in photosensitivity under uv exposure during covid 19 pandemic
topic COVID-19 pandemic
Photosensitivity
Sunscreen
Public health
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1018364723004329
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