Face coverings can protect you from getting or spreading airborne diseases like COVID-19.
For some people, this protective measure may result in some skin irritation.
This can be a real problem, especially for people who must wear face masks all day.
Verywell / Alex Dos Diaz
Face coverings don’t let air flow around the face.
This is one reason why irritation occurs.
When you breathe, moisture becomes trapped on your face.
The dark, warm environment can contribute to skin problems like acne.
Masks and facial coverings can irritate the skin in other ways, too.
This article looks at mask and face covering-related skin issues.
It also discusses treatments that can help and ways to stop these problems from happening.
It may even cause peeling.
This could cause your skin to dry.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you wash your reusable cloth mask daily.
Residue from laundry detergent and fabric softeners can also irritate your skin, however.
Other prevention measures include:
Retinoid creams are also used to treat acne.
Experts say they can be irritating, which can make dry skin worse.
This is the most common form of dermatitis.It is due to direct contact with something that irritates the skin.
Symptoms include:
Dermatitis can also be because of an allergic reaction to material in the mask.
For example:
This is calledallergic contact dermatitis.
Irritant contact dermatitis can begin just after exposure to the mask or face covering begins.
An allergic dermatitis reaction, however, may take up to 48 to 96 hours to appear.
To help the rash clear up, however, you oughta eliminate the thing that’s causing the allergy.
In this case, it’s crucial that you use a different punch in of facial covering.
If you usually wear a surgical mask, consider wearing a cloth one instead.
If you wear a cloth mask, try one made from a different throw in of fabric.
Cotton is usually considered less allergenic than polyester.
Wash your mask with hypoallergenic, fragrance-free laundry detergent before you wear it.
Note that medical-grade surgical masks are best for healthcare parameters.
Cloth masks work well outside of these options, but they need to fit well.
Choose one that has several layers and does not leave any gaps when you put it on.
A metal nose bridge can improve the fit and prevent your eyeglasses from fogging up.
Once your skin rash starts to clear up, slowly taper off the hydrocortisone cream, if using.
Keep using a moisturizer to help prevent a recurrence.
This is because bacteria on your skin can become trapped within the mask.
Any dampness that happens when you breathe or sweat can also contribute to clogged pores and breakouts.
How to Treat Acne
Standard acne treatments may not be the right choice for mask-related acne.
Treatments like benzoyl peroxide and retinoids may take a while to work and can be irritating.
Instead, you should:
A products comedogenic level is sometimes measured on a scale of 1 to 5.
The lower the number, the less likely it will clog your pores.
A 5 would clog pores the most.
The condition can also affect the chest.It has many triggers, including heat.
Wearing a face covering increases the skin’s temperature.
This can potentially cause a rosacea flare.
How to Treat Rosacea
Your healthcare provider can prescribe medication to treat rosacea.
Like acne treatments, though, most take time to work.
The best way to address rosacea that’s related to wearing a face covering is to prevent flare-ups.
Rosacea can also cause bumps that look similar to acne.
This happens when your mask rubs on your skin and creates friction.
This is the best way to help sore spots heal.
You may also want to change the punch in of face cover you’re using.
For example, try a well-fitting mask with a head strap or ties instead of ear loops.
This is a gel-like substance that helps wounds heal and can prevent additional skin damage.
Apply it to the areas where the sores appear.
Duoderm can be purchased over-the-counter in drugstores.
you’re free to also use products like Vaseline or zinc oxide.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
Intermountain Healthcare.Face masks, gloves and protecting your skin.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: contact dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.
National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Coronavirus face masks FAQs.
Harvard Medical School.Adult acne: understanding underlying causes and banishing breakouts.
2020;156(8):854. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.1602
American Academy of Family Physicians.Rosacea.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.6 rosacea skin care tips dermatologist give their patients.
National Rosacea Society.Factors that may trigger rosacea flare-ups.
