Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDry, Itchy SkinDermatitisAcneRosaceaSore Spots
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Dry, Itchy Skin
Dermatitis
Acne
Rosacea
Sore Spots
Face coverings can protect you from getting or spreading airborne diseases like COVID-19. For some people, this protective measure may result in some skin irritation. This can be a real problem, especially for people who must wear face masks all day.
Face coverings don’t let air flow around the face. This is one reason why irritation occurs. When you breathe, moisture becomes trapped on your face. The dark, warm environment can contribute to skin problems like acne.
Masks and facial coverings can irritate the skin in other ways, too. They may expose the skin to allergens, or they may simply cause irritation because they rub against the skin.
This article looks at mask and face covering-related skin issues. It also discusses treatments that can help and ways to stop these problems from happening.
Verywell / Alex Dos Diaz
When you wear a face covering for long periods of time, it can make your skin itchy. It may even cause peeling. If your face covering is made out of fabric like cotton, it can absorb the natural oils on your face. This could cause your skin to dry.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you wash your reusable cloth mask daily. Residue from laundry detergent and fabric softeners can also irritate your skin, however.
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Retinoid creams are also used to treat acne. Experts say they can be irritating, which can make dry skin worse.
This is calledallergic contact dermatitis.
Irritant contact dermatitis can begin just after exposure to the mask or face covering begins. An allergic dermatitis reaction, however, may take up to 48 to 96 hours to appear.
How to Treat Contact Dermatitis
The American Academy of Dermatology lists some simple ways to treat a mild case of contact dermatitis:
How to Treat Allergic Dermatitis
An over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help relieve the itch. To help the rash clear up, however, you need to eliminate the thing that’s causing the allergy. In this case, you need to use a different type of facial covering.
If you usually wear a surgical mask, consider wearing a cloth one instead. If you wear a cloth mask, try one made from a different type of fabric. Cotton is usually considered less allergenic than polyester. Wash your mask with hypoallergenic, fragrance-free laundry detergent before you wear it.
Note that medical-grade surgical masks are best for healthcare settings. Cloth masks work well outside of these settings, but they need to fit well. Choose one that has several layers and does not leave any gaps when you put it on. A metal nose bridge can improve the fit and prevent your eyeglasses from fogging up.
If your skin doesn’t improve within two weeks or if the dermatitis is severe, contact your healthcare provider.
Once your skin rash starts to clear up, slowly taper off the hydrocortisone cream, if using. Keep using a moisturizer to help prevent a recurrence.
If you’re prone to acne, you may have more breakouts when you wear a face covering. This is because bacteria on your skin can become trapped within the mask. Any dampness that happens when you breathe or sweat can also contribute to clogged pores and breakouts.
How to Treat Acne
Standard acne treatments may not be the right choice for mask-related acne. Treatments like benzoyl peroxide and retinoids may take a while to work and can be irritating.
Instead, you should:
A product’s comedogenic level is sometimes measured on a scale of 1 to 5. The lower the number, the less likely it will clog your pores. A 5 would clog pores the most.
How to Prevent Acne
Rosaceais a skin condition that can make the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin appear flushed. The condition can also affect the chest.It has many triggers, including heat. Wearing a face covering increases the skin’s temperature. This can potentially cause a rosacea flare.
How to Treat Rosacea
Your healthcare provider can prescribe medication to treat rosacea. Like acne treatments, though, most take time to work. The best way to address rosacea that’s related to wearing a face covering is to prevent flare-ups.
How to Prevent Rosacea
Sore Spots on the Ears or Nose
You can get sore spots over your ears and nose if you wear a mask or face covering for long periods of time. This happens when your mask rubs on your skin and creates friction.
How to Treat Sore Spots
Whenever it’s safe, take a break from wearing your face covering. This is the best way to help sore spots heal. You may also want to change the type of face cover you’re using. For example, try a well-fitting mask with a head strap or ties instead of ear loops.
How to Prevent Sore Spots
You can help reduce friction with a product called Duoderm. This is a gel-like substance that helps wounds heal and can prevent additional skin damage. Apply it to the areas where the sores appear.
Duoderm can be purchased over-the-counter in drugstores. You can also use products like Vaseline or zinc oxide.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Intermountain Healthcare.Face masks, gloves and protecting your skin.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: contact dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Coronavirus face masks FAQs.Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.Adult acne: understanding underlying causes and banishing breakouts.Penso L, Touvier M, Deschasaux M, et al.Association between adult acne and dietary behaviors: findings from the nutrinet-santé prospective cohort study.JAMA Dermatol. 2020;156(8):854. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.1602American Academy of Family Physicians.Rosacea.American Academy of Dermatology Association.6 rosacea skin care tips dermatologist give their patients.National Rosacea Society.Factors that may trigger rosacea flare-ups.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Intermountain Healthcare.Face masks, gloves and protecting your skin.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: contact dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Coronavirus face masks FAQs.Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.Adult acne: understanding underlying causes and banishing breakouts.Penso L, Touvier M, Deschasaux M, et al.Association between adult acne and dietary behaviors: findings from the nutrinet-santé prospective cohort study.JAMA Dermatol. 2020;156(8):854. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.1602American Academy of Family Physicians.Rosacea.American Academy of Dermatology Association.6 rosacea skin care tips dermatologist give their patients.National Rosacea Society.Factors that may trigger rosacea flare-ups.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Intermountain Healthcare.Face masks, gloves and protecting your skin.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: contact dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Coronavirus face masks FAQs.Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.Adult acne: understanding underlying causes and banishing breakouts.Penso L, Touvier M, Deschasaux M, et al.Association between adult acne and dietary behaviors: findings from the nutrinet-santé prospective cohort study.JAMA Dermatol. 2020;156(8):854. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.1602American Academy of Family Physicians.Rosacea.American Academy of Dermatology Association.6 rosacea skin care tips dermatologist give their patients.National Rosacea Society.Factors that may trigger rosacea flare-ups.
Intermountain Healthcare.Face masks, gloves and protecting your skin.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: contact dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.
National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Coronavirus face masks FAQs.
Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.Adult acne: understanding underlying causes and banishing breakouts.
Penso L, Touvier M, Deschasaux M, et al.Association between adult acne and dietary behaviors: findings from the nutrinet-santé prospective cohort study.JAMA Dermatol. 2020;156(8):854. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.1602
American Academy of Family Physicians.Rosacea.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.6 rosacea skin care tips dermatologist give their patients.
National Rosacea Society.Factors that may trigger rosacea flare-ups.
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