Dermatologists see remarkably more patients with skin problems by wearing a mouth cap

Dermatologists are emphatically seeing more patients with facial skin problems because of the mask requirement. People with already sensitive skin are especially at risk of skin complaints. “It makes existing complaints worse.”

Pimples after wearing a face mask? This is a known inconvenience for many people. Dermatologist Menno Gaastra sees the increased problems up close. The skin complaints on the face have gotten worse since wearing masks has been made mandatory in various places, he says. The dermatologist and his team of colleagues see up to fifteen new patients every week with problems that can be traced back to wearing face masks.

abrasive effect

“Before the pandemic, these types of complaints mainly occurred in the winter, but we also saw them a lot in the summer last year,” says the dermatologist. According to him, it is logical that skin problems on the face are more common because of the mouth caps. These provide an ‘abrasive effect’ and that causes irritation to the skin.

At the Dutch Association for Dermatology and Venereology (NVDV) they recognize themselves in the figures that Gaastra mentions. On average, ten patients visit each clinic in a week with skin problems because of the mouth caps. No official dates are known, because figures are not kept. “But it is certain that a group of patients would probably not come here if the mask were not there,” says Gaastra.

Medical face masks

Although most corona rules will disappear quickly, the mask obligation will continue to exist in public transport for a while. The advice also continues to apply as a precaution to wear a mouth cap in busy places. The problem is certainly not over yet, they think at the NVDV. This also has to do with the type of mouth cap that travelers have to wear on public transport.

Dermatologist Gaastra notes that problems mainly arise after wearing the medical masks. “These are the well-known mouth caps that you buy in the supermarket. They are made of hard material and often do not have the best fit. That will chafe the skin and eczema can occur.”

Mouth caps worsen skin complaints

According to the NVDV industry association, many dermatologists recognize themselves in the problem. “It is indeed noticeable. But it is also understandable,” says a spokesperson, who points out the many Dutch people who already have existing skin complaints.

“In the Netherlands, half a million people have eczema and half a million people with psoriasis. And then I don’t include all other skin complaints – and there are quite a few. right.”

Maskeracne

According to dermatologists, people with existing mild complaints are especially at risk. “They get more itchy because of the mouth caps, they start to scratch and that aggravates the situation,” says a spokesperson for the NVDV industry association. Not only eczema, but also acne on the face can be made worse by face masks. This is not caused by the chafing on the skin, but by the sealing effect of the masks.

Patients with skin problems have already attached a term to the problem: maskne. That refers to the pimples that some get from wearing a mouth cap for a long time. According to dermatologist Gaastra, acne is more persistent than eczema, but can also be treated well, for example with lotions or pills.

cosmetics

All kinds of beauty products are available on the internet that should prevent skin problems caused by mouth masks. Although a day cream can especially help to reduce the chafing effect of the caps, dermatologists warn against very greasy creams or Vaseline. They provide even less ventilation and it is precisely that closing effect that causes acne.

What especially helps is wearing a mouth cap that rubs less on the skin, although homemade mouth caps with a softer fabric are no longer allowed in public transport. Also ‘face mask habituation’ plays a role for some, says Gaastra. “In the long run, the skin seems to get used to the chafing of the mouth cap. As a result, eczema occurs less.”

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