Medical experts have confirmed that wearing a face mask while stepping out of home is one of the effective ways to keep oneself safe from the deadly coronavirus and curb its spread.
For the past 3 months, my face mask has become an essential part of my outfit. I do not step out of my home without it and have been diligently wearing it the whole time. Now, all of a sudden, I’ve noticed acne flare-ups around my mouth area. I consulted my dermatologist and she concluded that it is ‘Maskne’, a type of acne clinically known as “Acne Mechanica”.
Acne Mechanica is a form of acne that is triggered due to excess heat, friction, pressure or rubbing of the skin.
It is quite common in students, soldiers and athletes, and can develop on the face or other areas of the body like the back and shoulders. The acne varies in appearance, from tiny blackheads to red, inflamed pustules. In the initial stages, the skin may feel rough but then it progresses into inflamed blemishes and papules (tiny, raised bump on the skin).
Mask acne or ‘Maskne’ is a new term coined for acne caused by wearing a mask, and is steadily gaining popularity during the pandemic.
Dr. Seemal Desai, assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center says that in recent times, acne, especially perioral dermatitis that occurs around the mouth and nose, has been on the rise. Desai said that this type of acne is caused due to the combined effects of wearing a mask and stress from the pandemic. The moisture-rich atmosphere around the mouth and the nose provides an ideal environment for bacteria to flourish.
Given below are some preventive measures that can help prevent Maskne.
Maskne is treatable as well as other skin-related issues that arise due to wearing masks.
This article was first published on theAsianparent and republished with permission.