Reflections of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dermatology Outpatient Clinics

The study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dermatology outpatient clinics by comparing patient data from April-May 2020 to the same period in 2019. The number of referrals decreased by 6.3 times during the pandemic. Patients who visited during the pandemic were older on average, and there was a significant increase in male patients. No COVID-19 infections were detected among the dermatology patients. There was a notable decrease in consultations for cosmetic reasons and an increase in stress-induced dermatoses. Additionally, the development of stria rubra in the young population was linked to a sedentary lifestyle and nutritional issues due to pandemic restrictions. The study suggests that patients with COVID-19 and related skin issues may have sought care in other clinics due to systemic symptoms.