To lessen the dermatitis, he said, a moisturiser should be applied before putting on the mask and after its removal and face cleansing. Medical attendant Siti Fatimah Mahadi, 30, noticed that the eczema on her cheeks flared up after she started wearing a face mask. She said cases of occupational face and hand contact dermatitis among healthcare workers using face masks and hand sanitiser had been documented. Some face mask users would get a runny nose and red, itchy or watery eyes but not skin problems, while others felt claustrophobic and experienced shortness of breath, she added. Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia president Dr Steven Chow said a properly manufactured surgical grade face mask was unlikely to cause issues such as psoriasis and eczema, although continuous wearing of a face mask over long periods could aggravate an existing infection.

Source: The Star July 25, 2020 23:48 UTC