A Retrospective Analysis from Turkey: The Effect of the COVID-19 Outbreak Quarantine on Dermatology Outpatient Clinics

This retrospective study from Turkey, involving 416 patients at a single dermatology outpatient clinic, found that the COVID-19 quarantine negatively impacted dermatological care. Acne vulgaris was the most common diagnosis (27.16%), and stress was the main trigger for skin issues, as reported by 31.25% of patients. The pandemic led to treatment interruptions for 14 patients and decreased treatment efficacy for 74 patients (17.8%). Despite social distancing guidelines, 60.6% of clinic visitors were non-essential individuals like housewives and students. Only 3 patients (0.72%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 during their visit, potentially contracting it post-visit. The study highlights the importance of psychological support to manage stress-induced skin conditions and suggests a shift towards teledermatology to minimize treatment disruptions in future pandemics.