Changing dermatology practice in crisis and normalization processes
after COVID-19 and potential problems awaiting us: Teledermatology can
be a solution
Abstract
Aims We aim to reveal the effect of the crisis period and normalization
process after COVID-19 on dermatology practice, to anticipate future
health problems, and demonstrate the necessity of teledermatology as a
solution. Results The number of patients in the normalization (32.3%)
increased compared to the crisis period (11.5%) but also it was found
significantly lower than before the pandemic (56.2%). It was remarkable
that the change in the distribution of stress-related diseases, such as
idiopathic generalized pruritus, alopecia areata, and zona zoster,
stably paralleled each other and the trend of increase and decrease
during the crisis period and the normalization process, respectively.
The increase in the frequency of contact dermatitis, which was not
reflected in the crisis period, became evident in the normalization
process (p<0.001). There was no significant change in the rate
of scabies but a decrease in the number of patients (p=0.276).
Discussion The decrease in stress-related diseases indicates that social
stress started to decrease with normalization. Rates and the number of
patients give an idea about the problems we may encounter aftermath
pandemic. Scabies and venereal diseases, which concern public health,
should not be neglected. We predicted that much more significant
increases in the frequency of scabies will be recorded aftermath of
COVID-19. Conclusion The extraordinary conditions that occur after the
pandemic will make the management of some diseases, especially scabies,
difficult in the future. The chaos that will occur when the unusually
decreasing number of patients returns to normal can be alleviated by
teledermatology.