• OngJonathan J YJJY0000-0001-9197-9290Division of Neurology, National University Hospital and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 10, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Singapore. jonathan_ong@nuhs, Amanda C Y Chan, Chandra Bharatendu, TeohHock LuenHL0000-0002-4763-6984Division of Neurology, National University Hospital and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 10, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Singapore., Yee Cheun Chan, and Vijay K Sharma.
• Division of Neurology, National University Hospital and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 10, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Singapore. jonathan_ong@nuhs.edu.sg.
• Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2021 Jun 15; 25 (8): 5353.

Purpose Of ReviewPersonal protection equipment (PPE)-associated headache is an unusual secondary headache disorder that predominantly occurs in healthcare workers as a consequence of the donning of protective respirators, face masks and/or eyewear. The appreciation of this entity is important given the significant ramifications upon the occupational health of healthcare workers and could additionally have an impact on persons living with pre-existing headache disorder(s).Recent FindingsThere has been a renewed interest and recognition of PPE-associated headaches amongst healthcare professionals, largely brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has besieged healthcare systems worldwide. De novo PPE-associated headaches may present with migrainous or tension-type features and can be viewed as a subtype of external compression headache. The prognosis of the disorder is generally favourable, given that most headaches are short-lived without long-term sequalae. Several aetiologies have been postulated to account for the development of these headaches. Notably, these headaches can affect the occupational health and work performance of healthcare workers. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, probable etiopathogenesis, management and prognosis of PPE-associated headaches in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future directions for research and PPE development are proposed.

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