Factors associated with mask-induced dermatosis and its impact on patients’ quality of life


Published: 23 May 2023
Abstract Views: 710
PDF: 266
HTML: 7
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on society, both physically and mentally. Mask use in public places has been made mandatory in many countries, as it is one of the most effective methods to prevent transmission of the virus. However, continuous mask usage has been associated with the emergence of various cutaneous diseases in the areas of contact with the mask. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of various cutaneous manifestations resulting from mask use on patients’ quality of life through a questionnaire survey. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a hospital from May to July 2022. Patients who had experienced skin symptoms related to mask use in the past or present were included in the study. Participants completed the questionnaire with informed consent. A total of 165 participants participated in the survey, with the most common complaint being itching (58.18%), followed by acne (52.73%). Itching was found to have the highest dermatology life quality index score. Patients with skin redness had a lower quality of life compared to those without it. Prolonged mask-wearing can result in skin diseases that can seriously impair patients’ quality of life.


Yan Y, Chen H, Chen L, et al. Consensus of Chinese experts on protection of skin and mucous membrane barrier for health‐care workers fighting against coronavirus disease 2019. Dermatol Ther 2020;33:e13310.

Choi S, Hong J, Kim H, et al. Mask‐induced dermatoses during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a questionnaire‐based study in 12 Korean hospitals. Clin Exp Dermatol 2021;46:1504-10.

Hu K, Fan J, Li X, et al. The adverse skin reactions of health care workers using personal protective equipment for COVID-19. Medicine 2020;99:e20603.

Tang J, Zhang S, Chen Q, et al. Risk factors for facial pressure sore of healthcare workers during the outbreak of COVID‐19. Int Wound J 2020;17:2028-30.

Epifanio MS, Andrei F, Mancini G, et al. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on quality of life among Italian general population. J Clin Med 2021;10:289.

Dale R, Budimir S, Probst T, et al. Quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria. Front Psychol 2022:13:934253.

Finlay AY and Khan G. Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) - a simple practical measure for routine clinical use. Clin Exp Dermatol 1994;19:210-6.

Foo CCI, Goon ATJ, Leow YH, Goh CL. Adverse skin reactions to personal protective equipment against severe acute respiratory syndrome - a descriptive study in Singapore. Contact Dermatitis 2006;55:291-4.

Aravamuthan R, Arumugam S. Clinico-epidemiological study of mask induced acne due to increased mask use among health care workers during COVID pandemic in a tertiary care institute. Int J Res Dermatol 2020;7:48.

Purushothaman P, Priyangha E, Vaidhyswaran R. Effects of prolonged use of facemask on healthcare workers in tertiary care hospital during COVID-19 pandemic. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2021;73:59-65.

Malik LM, Ilyas S, Hayat W, et al. Skin manifestations associated with personal protective equipment (PPE) in health care professionals during COVID 19 pandemic. Esculapio 2020;16:61-5.

Tan KT, Greaves MW. N95 acne. Int J Dermatol 2004;43:522-3.

Hua W, Zuo Y, Wan R, et al. Short‐term skin reactions following use of N95 respirators and medical masks. Contact Dermatitis 2020;83:115-21.

Damiani G, Gironi LC, Grada A, et al. COVID‐19 related masks increase severity of both acne (maskne) and rosacea (mask rosacea): multi‐center, real‐life, telemedical, and observational prospective study. Dermatol Ther 2021;34:e14848.

Scarano A, Inchingolo F, Lorusso F. Facial skin temperature and discomfort when wearing protective face masks: thermal infrared imaging evaluation and hands moving the mask. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:4624.

Han C, Shi J, Chen Y, Zhang Z. Increased flare of acne caused by long‐time mask wearing during COVID‐19 pandemic among general population. Dermatol Ther 2020;33:e13704.

Narang I, Sardana K, Bajpai R, Garg VK. Seasonal aggravation of acne in summers and the effect of temperature and humidity in a study in a tropical setting. J Cosmetic Dermatol 2019;18:1098-104.

Sardana K, Sharma RC, Sarkar R. Seasonal variation in acne vulgaris - myth or reality. J Dermatol 2002;29:484-8.

Yu J, Chen JK, Mowad CM, et al. Occupational dermatitis to facial personal protective equipment in health care workers: a systematic review. J Am Acad Dermatol 2021;84:486-94.

Dash G, Patro N, Dwari BC, Abhisekh K. Mask‐induced skin changes during COVID pandemic: a cross‐sectional web‐based survey among physicians in a tertiary care teaching hospital. J Cosmet Dermatol 2022;21:1804-8.

Desai SR, Kovarik C, Brod B, et al. COVID-19 and personal protective equipment: treatment and prevention of skin conditions related to the occupational use of personal protective equipment. J Am Acad Dermatol 2020;83:675-7.

Gheisari M, Araghi F, Moravvej H, et al. Skin reactions to non‐glove personal protective equipment: an emerging issue in the COVID‐19 pandemic. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020;34:e297-8.

Bhoyrul B, Lecamwasam K, Wilkinson M, et al. A review of non‐glove personal protective equipment‐related occupational dermatoses reported to EPIDERM between 1993 and 2013. Contact Dermatitis 2019;80:217-21.

Aerts O, Dendooven E, Foubert K, et al. Surgical mask dermatitis caused by formaldehyde (releasers) during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Contact Dermatitis 2020;83:172-3.

Behroozy A, Keegel TG. Wet-work exposure: a main risk factor for occupational hand dermatitis. Saf Health Work 2014;5:175-80.

Lan J, Song Z, Miao X, et al. Skin damage among health care workers managing coronavirus disease-2019. J Am Acad Dermatol 2020;82:1215-6.

Luong Nguyen Dac, T., Vu Thi Thuy, T., Le Dang Mai, A., Nguyen Thi Bich, L., & Huynh Thi Xuan, T. (2023). Factors associated with mask-induced dermatosis and its impact on patients’ quality of life. Dermatology Reports, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/dr.2023.9694

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations