LETTERS: In countries where the ideal vaccination rate has not been achieved, people continue to wear face masks. Prolonged use of face masks can cause skin irritation, such as skin breakdown or chaffing of the skin on the bridge of the nose, the cheeks, the chin and behind the ears.
Itching is another common complaint, along with increased sweating and resultant rashes, more so in a tropical climate.
Acne or pimples may appear. The occlusion of the skin by the face mask and accumulated sweat play a role here.
It may be aggravated by the use of oily face creams and cosmetics that are comedogenic, that is, they promote pimple formation.
Allergic contact dermatitis (or irritation) to chemicals in the face mask and the elastic of the ear loops are common among those who are allergic to these. Here are five strategies to deal with skin problems due to masking.
FIRST, clean and lightly moisturise your face with water soluble moisturiser before using your face mask and after removing it. For normal skin, a lotion type of moisturiser is advocated, and for very dry skins, use a cream type.
Cleaning with mild facial cleansers is advised. Avoid irritants like face washes containing salicylic acid.
Topical retinoids used for the treatment of acne may cause irritation for some. As such, use an alternative anti-acne preparation.
Never squeeze pimples or gouge itchy skin lesions as it could cause serious internal consequences;
SECOND, avoid using oily topical preparations, cosmetics or soaps, unless one's skin is extremely dry.
Better still, avoid facial cosmetics (especially previously untried ones) including after-shave lotions, which can irritate some skins;
THIRD, in cases of itching, worsening of acne or other flare up of lesions, a (tele)dermatology consultation is best done early;
FOURTH, chaffing and dryness of the lips are common. Prevent them by applying petroleum jelly on the lips before masking, or at night before sleeping. Take care that it does not spread to adjacent skin as this could clog the skin pores and aggravate acne.
It's a good idea to avoid synthetic materials in face masks as this would cause occlusion of the skin pores. This can be avoided by using a soft cotton inner lining that can be washed using a soft non-irritant detergent and reused.
Use a barrier cream like zinc oxide in potential areas of chaffing, like on the bridge of the nose and behind the ears, taking care not to compromise the barrier efficacy of the face mask.
Wearing a properly fitting face mask with an elastic headband over the hair spares the chaffing and shearing of the skin behind the ears; and,
FIFTH, healthcare care workers are advised to take a 15-minute mask break every four hours in safe places outdoors or when alone or at least at advisable distances from others.
Notwithstanding, all these skin issues are not reasons not to wear a face mask nor follow the standard operating procedures.
Dr Mariette D'Souza
Senior associate professor Dermatology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times