The rise of contact dermatitis: a new skin condition caused by prolonged mask wear

Whereas it’s not a time period that almost all of us would often hear of or examine, contact dermatitis has been a relentless battle that each medical doctors and sufferers need to battle collectively even earlier than the onset of the pandemic.

The explanation? Figuring out the irritating perpetrator of the itchy – and infrequently painful – pores and skin allergy have confirmed to be troublesome, as contact dermatitis will be triggered by varied components, together with allergens in detergents, skincare merchandise, and so forth.

However when the rash started to appear in telltale areas of the face, medical doctors world wide had in a short time come to grasp the primary trigger: protecting face masks.

We’re all too aware of masks pimples (a.ok.a maskne) that’s attributable to protecting face coverings. However, what about this newfound pores and skin situation – and might we preserve it beneath management?

We communicate to varied consultants, together with medical medical doctors, to get the 411 on mask-related contact dermatitis.

What's contact dermatitis?

Previous to the pandemic, it’s not unusual for medical doctors to take an extended time to pinpoint the supply of contact dermatitis. That’s as a result of they needed to placed on their detective hats to appropriately establish the reason for the pores and skin situation by working pores and skin checks and sitting down with their sufferers to undergo their medical historical past or previous occasions which will have led to it.

As Dr. YX Lum, medical physician at IDS Clinic, places it merely, contact dermatitis is a situation wherein the pores and skin turns into irritated or infected when it comes into contact with a substance that it's allergic to. “It’s like a hypersensitive reaction to allergens found in detergents, skincare products, fragrances, and metal jewelry, for example,” she shares.

Dr. Kelly Tang, famend Taiwanese dermatologist, additional provides that the crimson, itchy rash will be attributable to soaps and even crops, earlier than letting on that irritant contact dermatitis is the commonest sort confronted by many.

“This non-allergic skin reaction occurs when a substance damages your skin’s outer protective layer. Some people react to strong irritants after a single exposure. Others may develop signs and symptoms after repeated exposure to even mild irritants. Mask wear-induced contact dermatitis falls under the latter,” she explains.

So, what's it about our protecting face coverings that’s inflicting contact dermatitis?

Supply: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

This new wave of facial rashes because of face masks is made recognized to the general public by Yashu Dhamija, a doctor within the division of immunology, allergy, and rheumatology at College of Cincinnati Faculty of Medication.

In a case report that particulars the story of 1 nameless affected person who developed contact dermatitis shortly after he started carrying a masks to forestall COVID-19, Dhamija (who's the lead writer of the report) notes that “rash distribution correlated with the elastic-containing components of a non-surgical mask.”

Since most face masks are manufactured from artificial supplies, which means that any sort of face coverings might theoretically set off contact dermatitis in our new, masked-up actuality.

What makes issues worse is that it’s not simply the masks materials that you must fear about: this troublesome pores and skin concern may also be introduced on by what you employ to clean your masks with, the masks dye, the elastic straps, and even the metallic nostril clip, relying on our pores and skin’s immunity. And, you’re wish to have the less-common allergic contact dermatitis in case your pores and skin has reacted to any of the above.

Sadly, the nameless affected person talked about above is simply one of many many individuals – each frontline employees and never – who're affected by pores and skin flare-ups because of carrying their face coverings for an prolonged time frame.

Based on Dr. Angeline Yong, MOH-accredited dermatologist and founding father of Angeline Yong Dermatology in Singapore, she sees a mean of two to a few sufferers in her workplace per week in relation to contact dermatitis attributable to masks put on.

In the meantime, accredited dermatologist and medical director of TWL Specialist Pores and skin & Laser Centre Dr. Teo Wan Lin additionally contends that irritant contact dermatitis might come up when you’re utilizing skincare merchandise for pimples beneath your masks.

“Products such as acne creams that contain astringent ingredients such as retinoic acid, tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and even alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs),” she shares.

“When such a product is applied onto the skin under occlusion, the absorption of these active ingredients is increased. This means that the irritation potential is then greater,” provides Dr. Teo. The affected space will normally be the a part of your face that’s coated by your protecting face protecting, she tells us.

Oh, and when you suppose that you're spared from contact dermatitis simply since you haven’t had a response but, suppose once more. Dr. Gladys Teo, head of R&D at ést.lab, tells us, “It is possible that your skin’s immune system becomes weak, which may seem to have ‘suddenly’ caused your skin to experience dermatitis.”

Dr. Joyce Lim, accredited dermatologist and founding father of Joyce Lim Pores and skin & Laser Clinic, provides that these with an underlying delicate pores and skin are particularly inclined to growing this response after extended used of protecting face coverings. Those that are taking medicine for pimples additionally face the next threat of growing contact dermatitis at any time, even when the allergen hadn’t posed an issue prior to now.

How you can deal with contact dermatitis attributable to masks put on

Supply: Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels

In a special time, the best answer to this drawback can be to discontinue utilizing your face masks when you suspect that it’s the primary perpetrator behind your newfound pores and skin concern. After all, that answer is virtually unattainable for the reason that international pandemic remains to be ongoing and we’re nonetheless observing protected distancing guidelines in Singapore.

Dr. Tang, Dr. Yong, and Dr. Lim counsel sticking to cotton-based, dye-free masks when you’re coping with irritant contact dermatitis.

Each Dr. Yong and Dr. Lim additionally advocate utilizing a delicate hypoallergenic laundry detergent that’s fragrance-free to clean your reusable material masks. Moreover, Dr. Lim recommends to alter out your masks if it has grow to be damp with sweat and saliva.

If it’s not doable so that you can put on a reusable masks, then it’s finest to just remember to’re prepping your pores and skin one of the simplest ways doable earlier than placing on an artificial masks. Dr. Lum, Dr. Yong, and Dr. Lim advocate utilizing light-weight, soothing moisturisers that comprise elements like ceramides to kind a protecting layer whereas restoring pores and skin’s barrier and conserving the pores and skin supple.

We just like the ėst.lab ActivCalm Anti-Stress Hydra Cream (S$118), Derma Lab Hydraceutic Cera-Restore Cream (S$39.90), or the basic workhorse of a moisturiser – CeraVe Day by day Moisturizing Lotion (S$24.18).

Moreover, Dr. Yong advises to skip merchandise which may be drying or over-exfoliating in case you have contact dermatitis. Dr. Lim additionally suggests going for masks which you could wrap round your head as an alternative of these with elastic ear loops when you’ve observed irritation across the ears.

Should you nonetheless can’t appear to stem the rash, all of the trusted consultants we spoke to agree that you just’d be sensible to make an appointment with a dermatologist or physician to correctly decide the reason for your pores and skin irritation.