(Juraj Varga / Pixabay)
Wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, and using a hand disinfectant are important steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. However, they can have harmful effects on the skin and lead to dryness, irritation, rashes and "mask" or acne. where facial coatings touch the skin.
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What can you do to prevent and treat these problems? Follow these tips from Chicago dermatologist Dr. Carolyn Jacob and the Association of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Help me! I explode all over my chin.
"Mask is real acne that rises under the mask area due to heat and friction (from the mask). The oils are more trapped in the pores because there is no place to go," said Jacob. Dermatologist and medical director for cosmetic surgery and dermatology in Chicago. "If you can take off a mask, take it off." If you are at home, do not use it at home when it is not required. ""
After wearing a mask, wash your face with a salicylic acid-based cleanser that helps degrease the skin and tighten the pores, Jacob says. Use the detergent once or twice a day, depending on your skin type: twice a day for oily skin; once a day for dry skin, with a lower concentration of salicylic acid so the skin doesn't get worse, Jacob said.
Another option is to use benzoyl peroxide cleaners that "help take advantage of the bacteria that cause inflammation and acne," Jacob said. Benzoyl peroxide products can bleach fabrics. Therefore, do not use favorite towels or towels for the products.
While you may have a need to use a facial scrub, you won't feel it. "If you use acne scrubs when you've already broken out with acne, the skin becomes more inflamed and red," said Jacob. "It's the opposite of what you have to do."
Do you have a few acne bumps right now? Use spot treatments with salicylic acid. "Warning: too much can cause irritation and dryness," said Jacob. "Don't abuse that."
According to Jacob, you can also treat acne with light therapy , which can be done at home or in a dermatologist's office. "Blue light therapy helps reduce inflammation and the bacteria that cause acne," he said.
Dermatologists can also prescribe antibiotic and anti-inflammatory creams for patients.
Do not wear makeup under the mask to avoid the mask. "The fresher the face, the better," said Jacob. However, if you choose to wear makeup under your mask, avoid creams or liquid products and stick with loose or pressed powders.
Another easy way to prevent the mask: wear a clean mask every day and wash the masks after each use. ( Get tips on cleaning the masks from the disease control and prevention centers.)
In addition to the mask, dermatologists see an increase in the number of patients with rashes around the mouth or at the edge of the nostrils. "We see a lot of the masks," said Jacob. Hydrocortisone creams or mild cleansers like CeraVe can help treat the condition.
The back of my ears is raw with my mask straps. What I can do?
"The first thing you should use is to protect skin like aquaphor or petroleum jelly," says Jacob. She recommends applying these products on irritated areas before putting on a mask, including behind the ears, bridge of the nose, or chin.
"The only downside is that these products are greasy and can penetrate hair, nose, or chin and cause breakouts," he said. If you're concerned about the fat factor, use a sensitive non-comedogenic moisturizer instead.
In addition to the irritation caused by the masks, dermatologists note an increase in seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff on the scalp or face, according to Jacob, who he believes could be caused by the use of masks and the recent warm weather. Treatment generally requires an anti-yeast medication, which Jacob says can be bought without a prescription.
"Nizoral cream can sometimes calm down (seborrheic dermatitis), and if you have a lot of redness and itching, you may need hydrocortisone cream twice a day for 10 days," Jacob said.
The heat can also make rosacea worse, a condition that can make people blush more easily and cause rashes all over their faces, especially in areas covered with face masks, Jacob says. "Most rosacea drugs fight this," he said, adding that there are prescription creams that dermatologists can also prescribe to help soothe redness and inflammation.
My hands are raw when I wash and disinfect them all the time.
Instead of using boiling water, dermatologists recommend using warm water. Do not dry your hands completely after washing them for at least 20 seconds. Leave some water on it or let it air dry.
While your hands are still slightly damp, apply a hand cream or ointment, according to ADA. Jacob recommends using moisturizers that contain ceramides or products that contain shea butter or oil.
After using a hand disinfectant, you can apply a hand cream or ointment immediately after the disinfectant has dried. For people with sensitive or dry skin, Jacob recommends using aloe-based hand disinfectants, as these can be less irritating.
Reapply the lotion every time you wash or disinfect your hands to heal dry skin.
Contact Kristen Thometz: @kristenthometz | (773) 509-5452 | [protected by email]
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