Caring for Your Skin During COVID-19
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, people have been wearing masks and frequently washing their hands to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Problems like acne and dry or irritated skin on your hands are common as a sign of these preventative measures.
Masks:
Many people are experiencing what is commonly known as “maskne.” Masks can cause debris, sweat, and saliva to be trapped on the skin, which can result in a breakout.
Here are tips for treating acne “mask”:
- Always use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer before putting on your mask.
- Avoid wearing makeup underneath your mask. The combination of makeup and sweat under the mask can cause irritated skin and clogged pores.
- If possible, wash your mask after every use with a fragrance-free and dye-free laundry detergent.
- If over-the-counter acne treatments do not work for you, schedule an appointment with one of our dermatologists. They can prescribe topical or oral treatments to help treat acne.
Dry Hands:
Many people are also dealing with extremely dry skin, skin irritation, and even eczema on their hands as a result of increased handwashing and frequent use of hand sanitizer.
Our dermatologists recommend the following:
- Use a fragrance-free, gentle soap to wash your hands. Always choose this option over hand sanitizer when you can.
- Moisturize your hands after you wash them. For severely dry hands, an ointment, such as Vaseline, is best.
- See one of our dermatologists if symptoms persist. They can prescribe stronger creams or steroids. Light therapy and injectable treatments are also available for people with eczema.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our dermatologists to get more skin tips for COVID related skin problems, you can contact Western Maryland Dermatology at (301) 777-7900 or visit us online at wmderma.com/contact where you can chat with one of our reservation specialists.
Source: https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/news-room/blog/2020/08/covid-19-and-maskne