New research shows that chemicals in face masks may be irritating your Rosacea.
People everywhere are reporting skin issues from wearing face masks. For example, the ‘European Taskforce on Contact Dermatitis’ recently reported that 74% of health workers reported facial dermatitis from wearing masks (60% of these reported redness and spots). Furthermore a questionnaire of health workers, by researchers at Sichuan University, reported that ALL healthcare workers with Rosacea reported a worsening when wearing masks.
Initially, studies suggested that these effects were due to contact irritation. However, a new case study suggests that the breaking-down of the material that N95 and most surgical-type face masks are made of may be the issue. Researchers at the University of Antwerp, found that the non-woven polypropylene material in the masks was breaking down to release formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known contact irritant and when the mask was changed, to one made from a different material, the patient’s condition resolved.
So what can you do? Well, these results are only in a single patient, but they do suggest that trying a mask made from a different material might be worth a go. Obviously if you are a healthcare worker, you must follow your guidelines. For the rest of us, the guidelines will vary depending on where you live. For those of us in the UK, the government has provided guidance on making homemade masks from old t-shirts. It may well be worth trying this with a 100% cotton t-shirt and seeing if it helps. Here’s the link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering
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Stay safe and stay well.
Nick :)
References PMID: 32356382 PMID: 32297349 PMID: 32468589
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