Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran
مجله پزشکی جمهوری اسلامی ایران
Med J Islam Repub Iran
Medical Sciences
http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir
2
journal2
1016-1430
2251-6840
8
10.18869/mjiri
14
8888
13
en
jalali
1399
10
1
gregorian
2021
1
1
35
1
online
1
fulltext
en
An unprecedented increase in burn injuries due to alcohol-based hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 outbreak
Burn & Reconstruction
Burn & Reconstruction
Original Research
Original Research
<strong>Background: </strong>Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, protective measures including alcohol-based hand rub, received unexampled popularity in Iran. Alcohol hand rub is effective, inexpensive and simple to use, but it is a flammable liquid, which might cause burn injuries. In this study, we investigated burn injuries due to alcohol hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 disease outbreak in Iran.<br>
<strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional study was performed on burn patients referred to Motahari Burns and Reconstruction Center from February 20th, 2020 (official announcement of the epidemic of COVID-19 in Iran) up to April 19th, 2020. All outpatients and hospitalized burn injuries caused by alcohol during the abovementioned period were included.<br>
<strong>Results:</strong> There were 76 burn injuries due to the use of alcohol hand sanitizer. Sixty patients were treated outpatient, and 16 were hospitalized. The mean ± SD age of patients was 33.2±17.9 years and most were males (57 individuals, 75%). Also, the mean ± SD of TBSA was 6.1±6.5%. In hospitalized ones, the mean ± SD hospital stay was 11.7±8.6 days. The most burnt area was the head (39.5%) followed by the right upper limb (35.5%) and the left upper limb (23.7%). Patients were actively engaged in burn injury in 61.8% of cases, while they were passively burnt in 34.2% of cases and in 3.9% the mechanism was unknown. Burn injuries mostly happened in the yard (22.4%) followed by the rooftop (21.1%) and outdoors (18.4%).<br>
<strong>Conclusion: </strong>Appropriate general education, especially through mass media, can reduce burns caused by alcohol-based sanitation during the COVID-19 outbreak. Most of these burn injuries involved face and hands, which are cosmetically and functionally important.
Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer, COVID-19 Outbreak, Burns
818
821
http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-6530-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1
Mostafa
Dahmardehei
M.dahmardehei@gmail.com
200319475328460064784
200319475328460064784
No
Burns Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Majid
Khadem Rezaiyan
KhademRM@mums.ac.ir
200319475328460064785
200319475328460064785
No
Clinical Research Development Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Farhang
Safarnejad
drfsgs@gmail.com
200319475328460064786
200319475328460064786
No
Department of Surgery, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
Ali
Ahmadabadi
ahmadabadia@mums.ac.ir
200319475328460064787
200319475328460064787
Yes
Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran