Facial dermatoses, in the form of acne, itch, facial dermatitis or pressure injuries, occur frequently among individuals who wear face masks for a long duration, according to a recent study of nearly 30,000 participants published in the journal Contact Dermatitis.^1,2

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the association between the use of masks and facial dermatoses. The aim was also to identify potential risk factors for the development of such facial dermatoses. The meta-analysis included 37 studies published between 2004 and 2022 and composed of 29,557 study participants. About 80% of the participants self-reported the facial skin lesions, while in ~20%, they were diagnosed by a dermatologist.

Analysis of data revealed a 55% overall prevalence of facial dermatoses. Facial dermatitis (24%), acne (31%), itch (30%) and pressure injuries (31%) were identified as facial dermatoses by the study subjects. What was surprising was that not the type of mask, but the duration of mask wearing was found to be the most significant risk factor for facial dermatoses.

Masking is an essential component of Covid-appropriate behavior. And, since Covid-19 is not over yet, masking as a protective measure is likely to continue, particularly in the healthcare settings. This study has shown a significantly high prevalence of skin diseases on the face secondary to the regular use of face masks. Since the duration of wearing face masks was identified as the most common risk factor, a break from mask wearing may be considered to reduce the risk of facial dermatoses in addition to changing masks often. At-risk patients should consult their dermatologists for appropriate medication and other measures to prevent development of such dermatoses.

References

1. Lim Yi Shen Justin, et al. Facial dermatoses induced by face masks: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Contact Dermatitis. 2022 Aug 18. doi: 10.1111/cod.14203.
2. Dermatoses often occur in people who wear face masks - Medscape - Aug 30, 2022.