Mask-induced skin changes during COVID pandemic: A cross-sectional web-based survey among physicians in a tertiary care teaching hospital

February 25, 2022

Dash G, Patro N, Dwari BC, Abhisekh K.

Jornal of Cosmetic Dermatology

A web-based cross-sectional study from June 2021 to August 2021 estimates the frequency of various skin manifestations observed among clinicians after wearing masks for less than 6 hrs and more than 6 hrs, including 178 participants between 22 and 68 years, the ratio of men (103) to women (75) was 1.4:1. The use of N95 mask is used in 169 participants (94.9%), with the flexible folding type being more common in 165 (94.3%). Most of the population was asymptomatic in these 96 participants (53.9%), the symptoms appeared between the first and the sixth month of continuous use of the mask in 50 (61%), and some appeared within the first month of use of the mask in 42 (51.2%) doctors; 61 participants (34.3%) experienced acne. Common sites were cheek (58.7%), chin (38.8%), bridge of the nose (34.7%), and mandibular area (19%). There was an association (p = 0.009) between skin changes among physicians who wore a mask for more than 6 h/day in 124 participants (69.7%) compared with physicians who wore a mask for less than 6 h/day presented in 54 participants (30.3%). The limitations presented in the study were not verify the skin manifestations researchers (dermatologists)

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; published online Feb 25. DOI:10.1111/jocd.14881.

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