Mask irritation? here are tips to prevent it

At the beginning of the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, wearing masks was not yet an important thing to do. However, after the number of cases found and their spread that did not always show symptoms, WHO began to emphasize the urgency to wear a mask every time you leave the house for protection from this disease.

Unfortunately, regular use of masks can sometimes cause irritation problems on the skin. So, how do you prevent it?

Prevents irritation due to daily use of masks

For those of you who continue to work or have to do outdoor activities, there are various health protocols that must be followed, one of which is wearing a mask. But on the other hand, wearing a mask every day can actually cause the risk of irritation, especially for people who have sensitive skin.

This can happen because every time you wear a mask, skin friction and mask will continue to occur. Friction is what will later cause the outermost layer of skin that acts as a protector from particles or dirt to be damaged, exposing the skin to allergens.

In addition, masks also block the flow of air to the face. When someone breathes or sweats, this moisture will build up in the mask and continue to get trapped on the face. Excess moisture levels can lead to growth purging acne.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,012,350

Confirmed

820,356

Recovered

28,468

DeathDistribution Map

In order not to cause problems for the skin, take the following precautions.

1. Choose the right skin care products

The first way you should do to prevent skin irritation due to wearing a mask is to choose a skin care that suits your skin.

If your skin tends to be dry, problems such as itchy skin or peeling skin are common. Therefore, avoid products that contain alcohol so as not to sting and damage the skin layer.

Before wearing a mask, apply a face with a moisturizer, but keep in mind not to choose a water-based moisturizer because it will actually make the skin even drier. Choose a moisturizer for dry skin that contains ceramide or glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

It is different if your skin is oily. Avoid skin care products or make up which is oil-based or has a thick texture like foundation . Choose products that are also non-comedogenic, products that won't clog pores.

Do not use products with grain scrub that's too harsh. Also avoid cleaners that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

2. Wash the mask regularly

In addition to protecting you from disease, wearing a clean mask will also reduce your risk of irritation. It is for this reason that the use of disposable masks may be more efficient.

However, as is well known, the supply of disposable masks such as medical masks is running low and difficult to find in the midst of a pandemic. Masks made from cloth finally became an option.

To keep the mask clean and not cause problems, wash it regularly. When washing, you should not use detergents that contain perfumes or fragrances as they can cause irritation.

3. Choose the appropriate cloth mask

Not only about the cleanliness of masks that must be maintained, if you want to use a cloth mask, you also have to choose the right material.

To prevent skin from acne problems, you should avoid masks with polyester material because this material can trap sweat. Choose a material that absorbs sweat such as cotton. For those of you who have sensitive skin, the mask should be soft.

If you are making your own mask, you can also sew a soft material as the inner layer of the mask that will stick to your skin.

If irritation due to masks occurs, how should you treat it?

Sometimes, the irritation that appears can also be caused by a condition called contact dermatitis, in which you have an allergy to certain ingredients contained in masks. If the reaction is mild, you may still be able to handle it yourself at home.

If the reaction that appears is itching, you can clean your face with a gentle cleanser, then apply it with a cream that contains topical steroids such as 1% hydrocortisone.

When the mask you are wearing causes a sore on the nose or behind the ear, apply a thick hydrogel bandage which will help heal the scar. You can also use creams made from silicon or zinc oxide to reduce the friction effect and prevent dry skin.

Apart from using external products, the way you can also do is take allergy medications such as antihistamines. Usually the drug can be taken twice a day until the symptoms reduce or disappear.

However, if the irritation that occurs due to wearing a mask has had an effect such as swelling of the face or a more severe rash, it is better to immediately go to a doctor or dermatologist to get proper treatment.