Wearing a face covering has been a part of the suggested preventive measures for coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. According to existent medical literature, face masks have helped in controlling the spread of pathogens prior to the start of a current health crisis as well, which is why health agencies including the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevent deem masks for coronavirus compulsory.
Ever since masks have been a part of the official instructions for the prevention of coronavirus, many people in the US and other countries around the world have worn masks in public spaces. However, at the same time, there is also a big number of people who have protested against policies mandating and requiring masks in shops, offices, and other places.
In fact, there have also been ‘anti-mask’ rallies in some parts of the US where people have claimed that the practice of wearing a mask is against their basic rights over their bodies. Secondly, others have stated that they cannot wear a mask due to difficulty in breathing.
Some people have even gone as far as blaming their masks for their own mistakes.
A few weeks back, a man blamed his mask for causing his car accident.
Till now, there is no medical evidence to suggest that normal fabric masks can cause breathing difficulties or worsen existing medical conditions.
The only concern regarding masks is that of skin issues. Wearing a mask for a very long time can cause acne and inflammation, also known as ‘maskne’, in people with sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Though health professionals are still looking into this problem, they have stated that switching to silk can make a big difference with maskne as they are less likely to cause irritation and are gentler.
In addition, there are also a number of other changes that can help in reducing the irritation caused by wearing a mask for a long time including using a hydrating moisturizer before putting the mask on and reapplying it throughout the day.
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Also, try to clean the face right after coming home and removing the mask as that stops further spread of bacteria and inflammation. Using a soothing lotion to lower inflammation and redness and use products that contain ingredients known to control acne breakouts such as salicylic acid.
Another important step that can help some people is switching a mask more often. Dirty masks can often lead to acne breakouts, which is why disposable masks can be a much better alternative for some people. On the other hand, cleaning a silk mask regularly is just as important.
Secondly, it should also be noted that in addition to the masks, another big factor for acne is stress. Stress levels, especially among young adults and teenagers have been very high since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Therefore, it is equally important to relax and engage in activities that can reduce stress along with changing skincare routine and masks. If the maskne and skin problems get worse or become painful, consult a doctor for further treatment.