Faced with the Covid-19 epidemic in France, the wearing of masks is becoming widespread. But many find it difficult to bear it: breathing difficulties, pimples, heat, allergy, asthma, redness on the face … Tour of solutions with dermatologists and allergists.
If he is not obligatory in public space in France, except in public transport, the port of mask is strongly recommended in enclosed spaces, gathering places … to avoid the transmission of coronavirus. Problem: it gets hot very quickly! Itching redness, increased eczema, feeling of suffocation, allergy… Tips and tricks to better support the mask in all circumstances.
Japanese medical experts first issued the alert in mid-May. As temperatures become summery in Japan (around 30 degrees Celcius), wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus could hinder proper ventilation of the body. The head of the emergency department of Teikyo University Hospital in Japan, Yasufumi Miyake indicates in his study included in the columns of JapanTimes that fresh air can no longer reach the lungs, causing a shortness of breath and an heat buildup inside the body. The expert also underlines the risk of dehydration, exhaustion and heat stroke as a scorching summer looms. At the Graduate School of Medicine at Gunma University, specializing in environmental physiology in Japan, Professor Noriyuki Koibuchi makes the same observation and recommendsavoid playing sports while wearing the mask. The Japanese newspaper reports the death of two high school students in China wearing a mask during sports activities which led experts to warn of the dangers of wearing an overly tight mask during physical exercise, which is likely to cause oxygen deficiency.
“The friction of the mask on fragile areas of the face attacks the skin and damages the natural skin barrier.”
“The facial skin is not physiologically suitable for wearing the mask. fine and reacts more quickly to friction-type attacks, Explain Dr. Radostina Bachvarova, dermatologist. The skin is not the same everywhere. That of the hands is thicker, rougher, less fragile. “ The dermatologist explains: “The friction of the mask on the fragile areas of the face, and in particular on the top of the nose where some masks are fitted with a steel bar, attacks the skin and damages the natural skin barrier. When this skin barrier is damaged, skin problems happen.“They vary from one person to another and depend on the duration of wearing the mask: “From 2 to 3 days, a week or after a month of frequent use of the mask and more quickly on fragile skin“specifies the expert. Dr. Bachvarovaiste lists the skin problems that can be linked to the wearing of the mask:
- Reactive seborrhea: the friction mask on the skin of the face refines the skin, coupled withaccumulation of heat, perspiration and humidity in the mask, show in sensitive people a excessive increase in sebum production. The pores of the skin become blocked and become inflamed as they go, acne appears.
- Imbalance of the skin pH: the pH of the facial skin is slightly acidic. Under the effect of the heat confined in the mask, it becomes more alkaline. This imbalance promotes bacteria growth with pathogenic germs.
- Seborrheic dermatitis: through repeated aggression, redness appear and flaking skin.
- Acne, acne rosacea: acne and redness on the skin appear through repeated rubbing of the facial mask on the skin, aggravated by heat, perspiration and the imbalance of the microbiota. People on anticoagulant therapy have increased sensitivity to small vessels.
- Eczema: also called atopic dermatitis, it is an inflammation of the skin that can result from pruritus at the mask support areas, is itching and associated redness.
- Psoriasis facial: repeated rubbing attacks the skin, psoriasis plaques may appear.
- Folliculitis or inflammation of the hair follicle in men. It is due to friction on the beard hairs. The heat in the facial mask is an aggravating factor.
- Pigment spots: dark skins have a higher resistance to friction but they are more prone to post inflammatory pigment spots, more difficult to remove afterwards.
People with asthma, suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis or bronchitis must lend pay attention to the choice of their mask. “A mask that is too airtight, type FFP2 will be difficult to bear for a long time. With this type of mask, the person tends to have faster breathing and to hyperventilate“says Dr. Sophie Silcret-Grieu, allergist. For people who suffer from respiratory or cardiovascular problems, caution is therefore advised when choosing their mask,”of surgical type preferred, but the best is to try several models and adopt the one that best suits, recommends the doctor. A mask is useful for them, because with the intense circulation of pollens it can be a little protective, and will also protect other people in case of sneezing.“
“The skins of older people and fair skin are thinner and more at risk that dark skin ” warns the dermatologist. Similarly people with skin already weakened by pathologies such as eczema, psoriasis, acne or atopic dermatitis are more at risk of not supporting the mask on the skin. At the respiratory level, it is people who already suffer from breathing disorders who will suffer the most (COPD, pneumonia …).
- Cool your face regularly (for example with a thermal water sprayer).
- Drink lots of water and / or more often.
- Remove the mask for the practice of a sports activity.
- Shave her beard.
- Make up less.
- Avoid perfumed cosmetics, with preservatives and parabens.
- Prefer moisturizing anti-irritation creams, to be put in the morning and in the morning.
- Cleanse your skin with a neutral or slightly acidic product to restore the balance of the skin microbiota.
- Treat your skin in the evening with a healing cream.
- Take some vitamin C. It helps strengthen the capillary wall of small vessels.
- Reduce consumption of sugary foods which stimulate sebum production.
- Reduce your consumption of raw cow’s milk products (not recommended in case of acne and eczema).
- Choose a mask in which you feel good.
- Avoid neoprene masks, especially for people allergic to latex, synthetic materials and those very colored, containing irritant components. Prefer surgical masks or those called “alternative” cotton and neutral color, pale.
Thanks to Doctor Radostina Bachvarova, dermatologist at the Thermes de Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, specialized in the treatment of skin pathologies, and to Doctor Sophie Silcret-Grieu, allergist in Paris.
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