Impact of Mask on Patients with Facial Skin Disease in University Hospital after COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Questionnaire-Based Study / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Background@#As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues, wearing masks has become a daily routine. As the mask-wearing time increased, the mask-covered skin was more likely to be influenced. @*Objective@#This study aimed to identify face mask-wearing behaviors and their effects on patients with facial skin diseases. @*Methods@#Patients with facial skin disease were surveyed at two institutions. The patterns of mask use, mask-associated skin problems, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were investigated. @*Results@#A total of 174 participants were enrolled and the mean age was 42.2 years. Rosacea (35.6%) was the most common condition, followed by acne (25.3%) and contact dermatitis (17.2%). Ninety-four subjects (54.0%) reported that they wore masks for less than 6 hours a day, and 96 subjects (55.2%) wore masks to fit tightly against the face. Regarding the mask type, KF-99, 94, and 80 (62.6%) were the most common. Nearly three-quarters (n=128, 73.6%) of patients complained of mask-associated skin problems. Pimples were the most common symptom (59.4%), and the cheek was the most commonly affected area (67.2%). The mean DLQI score was 9.90. @*Conclusion@#We investigated the current patterns of mask use in patients with facial skin diseases. Moreover, it is necessary to recognize newly encountered relationships and seek strategies for relevant patients.