Skin Trouble After Wearing Face Masks?

Dr Omnia Khater is a specialist dermatologist practicing in Dubai. She shares her views on skin health issues most commonly found during COVID-19.

(5.0)

71 reviews

Dr. Omnia Khater

Senior dermatology specialist Saudi German clinic
Saudi German Clinic, Jumeirah

Can frequent use of hand sanitizer worsen atopic dermatitis?

We know that most of the Eczema patients, especially suffering from atopic dermatitis, they use special cleanser for their skin. It is not good, or recommended to use any cleanser or sanitizer which contains fragrance, because these fragrance will irritate their skin and flare their condition and keep using the moisturizer especially suitable for their skin every time when they are washing their hands. This is a very important thing and if they sense any irritation or sense any itching in their skin, they should consult their dermatologist.

What are the skin issues that require attention during COVID-19?

Fungal infections. If you overuse water, it is the medium for yeast to grow and fungal infections can appear. Most of patients now, or people, wash a lot their hands.

Some of the patients, or people who use mask all the time on the face, sometimes increase the acne because the skin is sweating. Because they use the mask all the time, some acne from eruptions may come to appear on the skin, even if she didn’t experience this before.

Can Coronavirus cause skin issues like "Covid toes"?

All over the world now, there are many studies working about the skin rashes and COVID-19, even without respiratory symptoms like cough or fever. Some of these skin rashes is called “COVID-19 toes”. This is vascular region or rash appearing on the skin with relation to some viruses. Some of it is COVID-19, not all the cases, but some cases.

What skin emergency requires an immediate visit to a dermatologist?

New condition like a sudden rash, which they didn’t see before, or infection like bacterial infection, fungal infection, should come to see the doctor. If it gets severe of already existing eczema or urticaria, and they have some rashes appear in the body, but suddenly it clears, and becomes on the face, on the lips and around the eyes, it is a very severe condition and you need to come to see the doctor or ER.

But if the condition is same and they keep using the same treatment, its ok and can consult the doctor also through telemedicine.

*Disclaimer: Please consider the information in this video/article most recent as per date and medical recommendations towards COVID-19 may change as the situation evolves.