Dermatological injuries linked to topical products: Insights from a decade long national cohort study

Summary: Abstract Body: Lotions and moisturizers are widely used for skincare and treating cutaneous conditions. While generally safe, they may occasionally be associated with dermatological injuries requiring emergency department (ED) care. While previous research has focused on their efficacy and side effects, severe lotion-related ED visits remain underexplored. Examining demographics, clinical presentations, and outcomes of these cases may help develop prevention strategies for these injuries. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a nationally representative cohort of ~100 U.S. EDs and overlying territories were analyzed. A keyword search of “lotion,” “moisturizer,” and associated plurals was queried. T-value tests assessed differences across sex (P<0.05). 522 cases were analyzed (mean age: 24, range: 1 month–98 years), with 61.9% female, 28.0% Black. Cases peaked in 2020 at 65 cases. Dermatitis, poisoning, and contusions were the most common diagnoses. Women were significantly less likely to experience accidental ingestion and more likely to experience osseous fractures than men (0.00% vs. 2.01% vs. and 5.57% vs. 2.01%, P<0.05). Lower arm, ankle, and head regions were significantly more impacted in women than men (7.74% vs. 3.52%, 2.48% vs. 0.50%, 7.43% vs. 3.52%, P <0.05), while injuries affecting over 50% of the body were less frequent (21.98% vs. 31.16%, P <0.05). Topical-related injuries represent a significant health burden in the U.S., with women representing the majority of cases (61.9%). The demographic and clinical patterns observed suggest that these injuries are not random but may be influenced by age, gender, and cultural practices. Further study is required to examine the exact cause of these injuries and potential improvements in application instruction and protection. Surya Khatri¹, Megan Hoang¹, Austin Coppinger¹, Samer Wahood¹, Pavane L. Gorrepati², Daniella Reimann², Elie Saliba^{2, 3} 1. Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI, United States. 2. Department of Dermatology, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI, United States. 3. Department of Dermatology, Lebanese American University School of Medicine, Beirut, Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. Clinical Research: Epidemiology and Observational Research