Public Interest in Dermatologic Symptoms, Conditions, Treatments, and Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from Google Trends

The study analyzed public interest in dermatologic symptoms, conditions, treatments, and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic using Google Trends data from 2016 to 2020. It found a significant decrease in interest in skin cancers and conditions like pityriasis rosea and scabies, while interest in dry skin, hair shedding, oily hair, atopic dermatitis, and hand eczema increased. Interest in acne, melasma, and cosmetic procedures initially decreased but later rose. The findings highlighted the pandemic's impact on public interest in dermatology, suggesting the need for healthcare policies and information sources to meet public demand. The study also noted the potential for teledermatology to manage delayed diagnoses and emphasized the importance of future research to understand these trends and their effects on patient outcomes.