The usage of cosmetics and adverse events among female nurses: need for a cosmetovigilance system

INTRODUCTION: Cosmetics are known to cause adverse events in their users, although there is limited information on this topic both globally and in Türkiye. This study was carried out to assess the usage of cosmetics, patterns and characteristics of adverse cosmetic events (ACEs) among female nurses.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2022 among registered female nurses with at least one year of work experience in a tertiary care hospital in Adana, Türkiye. The validated questionnaire (Cronbach alpha value: 0.800) was used for data collection which includes, 13 questions with three main sections. The first part comprised of demographic variables and cosmetic uses, second part addressed ACE and final section consisted of consultation types and reporting methods for adverse events adopted after experiencing ACE.
RESULTS: Of the total 158 participants, 144 were included in this study, making a 91.1% response rate. All the female nurses reported the use of cosmetics and 26.4% (n=38) reported the experience of one or more cosmetic ACEs. Itching, burning, and eczema were the most frequently observed ACE. A higher proportion of ACEs was related to face care products (18.4%) and deodorants (13.1%). More than half (57.9%) of the nurses did not adopt any consultation after experiencing ACE. Moreover, the majority of the participants (47.4%) did not report ACE to concerned healthcare authorities.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A considerable proportion of the participants reported ACEs. Under-reporting of ACE was also highlighted in this study. The current study also emphasized the need for a robust cosmetovigilance system.