‘Maskne’
… is the new acne. Those who have started wearing a mask for long period of time have noticed this phenomena, an increase in acne on the face.
Dr. Rachel Ness, Fargo Center for Dermatology, says even those who have never had a problem with acne previously, are seeing problems now. The masks create a micro environment with a lot of humidity and a possibility for over growth of bacteria. Some people with underlying tendencies for acne or perioral dermatitis could see their conditions accentuated because of a mask as well. While others are seeing miliaria rubra (like a heat rash), which is a little back up from the follicles of the skin.
How to prevent? Change your mask as frequently as you can (or dry it out), make sure to frequently wash your face with an antimicrobial cleanser with benzoyl peroxide. Depending on the sensitivity of your skin and the severity of your ‘maskne’, you can vary the percentage of the benzoyl peroxide.
Red & Sore Around Mask
If you are in a healthcare system or wearing a mask that is very tight to your face, you may be seeing your skin become red and sore. Dr. Ness calls thi irritant contact dermatitis, a redness and breakage of the skin around the mask. She recommends removing the mask when you are able, air out the area, wash your face, use a water-less cleansers, and moisturize while you are sleeping with something like Aquafor, Vaseline, or Vanicream to repair the skin.
What about your hands?
With all this hand washing, Dr. Ness says there has been a new resurgence of hand dermatitis. With good hand hygiene is important, there should be a balance. The top layer of skin is there to protect you, so if that is broken down, you can do more harm than good and be more susceptible to an infection.
Cleaning products have been tested on surfaces not skin. So, if you can, use disposable gloves and always you have broke it down, it can do more harm than good. Use disposable gloves and always apply a bland, fragrance-free moisturizer right after you wash your hands.
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(Amy Iler & JJ Gordon are talk-show hosts at 790 AM KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. “It Takes 2 with Amy & JJ” can be heard weekdays 11am-2pm. Check out the show page on FACEBOOK. Follow Amy on Twitter @AmyKFGO . Follow JJ on Twitter @JJGodon701)
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