Skin Barrier in Patients with Lichen Simplex Chronicus in the conditions of A COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The primary role of the skin is to protect the body from environmental factors. The intact skin is a barrier to the uncontrolled water loss, proteins and plasma components from the organism. Frequent hand and body wash has a negative impact on skin ecosystem by removing lipids which naturally preserve and protect it. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in barrier functions of skin in the condition of repeated body and hand wash in Lichen Simplex Chronicus (LSH) patients. Materials and Methods: Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) and Hydratation (H) of epidermis in healthy and damaged skin were measured in 36 non-hospitalized LSH patients. The results were compared with those from a similar study but in patients before the COVID pandemic recommended hygiene regimen. Results: The results reported in the present study showed significantly more pronounced skin barrier disorders compared to those announced in LSH patients before the COVID pandemic. Conclusion: All the reported and analyzed results indicate that disorders of skin barrier are connected with severity and duration of LSH. The frequent washing regime act as an additional reduction of the barrier function of the skin and thus worsens the parameters of the disease.