The February 6, 2023 Earthquake and the Experience of the Dermatology Consultation Unit at a Tertiary Hospital

Following the February 6, 2023 earthquake in Turkey, a study was conducted at a tertiary hospital located 700 km from the epicenter to understand dermatological care needs in disaster medicine. The study included 231 patients, with a mean age of 33.65 years, who were referred for dermatological consultations. The most common conditions were dermatitis (34.72%), infections (18.4%), and alopecia (11.81%), with telogen effluvium being the most frequent type of alopecia. The high incidence of these conditions was attributed to skin trauma, use of disinfectants, and stress-related factors. The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department had the highest number of referrals, highlighting the importance of dermatological care in the rehabilitation phase post-disaster. The study's limitations include the hospital's distance from the epicenter and its role in providing advanced care after initial emergency stabilization.