Trends in Dermatological Presentations at the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Hospital in Singapore: A 4-Year Analysis Pre- and During COVID-19

This study at Singapore General Hospital examined dermatological emergency department presentations over four years, noting a 15.6% decrease in cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infective conditions like cellulitis and herpes zoster were most common, while inflammatory conditions such as urticaria and dermatitis increased, likely due to PPE usage and stress. Allergy cases surged in 2021, possibly linked to vaccinations. The study emphasizes the need for adaptive resource allocation and targeted training for emergency physicians, suggesting teledermatology for specialist consultations. Limitations include timing of data capture and lack of follow-up data. Future research should refine diagnostic categories and explore cost-effectiveness.