Characteristics of skin damages by using face masks and related factors in patients visited to Ho Chi Minh City hospital of Dermato-Venereology

Abstract

Backgound: Long-term mask use can lead to skin reactions, such as itching, allergic dermatitis, irritant contact dermatistis, increased sebum secretion, acne formation or increased existing acne. Currently, there are many researches on the affection on skin of persional protective equipment for Covid-19 in general and face masks in detail. To our best knowledge, there has been no studies about this issue in Vietnam up to now. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate clinal characteristics of skin damage by using face masks and related factors on patients visited the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato-Venereology. Methods: A descriptive study of case series on 102 patients visited the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato-Venereology had characteristics of skin damage by using face masks and related factors. Patients were inquired about their habit of using face masks, skincare routine, the status of skin before using masks and current skin damage related to face masks. Results: Of all the skin damages related to facemask, acne was seen in the highest percentage (89.21%), followed by allergic contact dermatitis (6.86%), seborrheic dermatitis (4.90%), skin infection (0.98%), retroauricular dermatitis (0.98%). There is no difference in skin damage related face masks between medical masks and cloth masks. But the increased sebum secretion, redness, dry skin after mask were compared in those with a mask usage of more than 8 hours per a day and those under 4 hours per day of mask usage time, there was inceases at statistically significant levels (p <0.05). Conclusions: Wearing face masks regurlaly caused negative effects on the skin such as acnes, allergic contact dermatitis, irritants contact dermatitis. Using face masks for many hours a day increased the adverse skin reactions. We need to choose the right face masks and skincare properly to limit these conditions.