Mask-related skin changes among healthcare workers in a community-based hospital.

CONTEXT: During the COVID-19 pandemic, dermatologists within the Beaumont Farmington Hills' Dermatology program noticed an increase in conditions associated with mask wearing, such as "maskne" (acne in a mask distribution, thought to be caused by mask wearing), as well as worsening of previously diagnosed dermatologic conditions. OBJECTIVES: The goal of our study was to explore various factors that impacted mask-related skin changes and how these skin changes affected quality of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. The primary 10-item survey instrument administered was the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Respondents were asked a series of 10 additional questions concerning the degree to which abnormal mask-related skin conditions affect their skin symptoms, possible embarrassment/self-consciousness, and perceived impact of mask-related skin changes. A series of descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation charts, and graphical examinations of data was utilized to evaluate sample subgroup and outcome distributional patterns. Pearson r bivariate correlation coefficients between possible collinear predictive measures on the primary study outcome were calculated. A series of simple inferential chi-squared (Χ2) tests of independence were also conducted. RESULTS: A total of 370 out of 430 (86.0%) Beaumont Health employees noticed some degree of skin changes since the work-hours face mask requirement was instituted, while 378 out of 430 (87.9%) felt that their skin was better when not wearing a mask. The majority of respondents, 283 (65.8%), reported having at least a little symptomatic skin (i.e., itchy, painful, sore, stinging) during the prior week. Furthermore, 72.3% reported that they were at least a little embarrassed or self-conscious of their skin. Chi-squared analysis of composite DLQI score categories by the number of types of masks utilized (Pearson X2=19.0, df=8, p=0.015), and some degree of symptomatic skin (Pearson X2=156.4, df=4, p<0.001) were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: A large number of healthcare workers are affected by mask-related skin changes. Further research should be directed at better understanding how skin changes associated with mask wearing impact one's quality of life and mental health.

A Novel Treatment of Acne Fulminans with Adalimumab: A Case Report.

Acne fulminans (AF) is a rare and highly inflammatory severe form of acne most commonly seen in adolescent males. Unlike acne vulgaris, AF presents with associated systemic manifestations including, but not limited to, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, fever, anorexia, and weight loss. It is often an extremely painful condition of sudden onset and can occur years after mild or moderate acne vulgaris. While the inciting agent for this condition has been postulated to be an explosive hypersensitivity reaction to the bacterium Propionobacterium acnes, increased androgens, namely testosterone, have also been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease process. Additionally, environmental triggers such as air pollution and exposure to halogenated hydrocarbons during occupational activities in enclosed, high temperature settings have been identified as possible etiologies or exacerbating factors. AF is primarily a clinical diagnosis. Isotretinoin, in combination with systemic steroids, are generally the treatments of choice for this disease entity. A Caucasian male in his early 40's presented to the authors' clinic with a chief complaint of painful acneiform nodules, cysts, papules, pustules, and abscesses on his back, chest, neck, shoulders, upper arms, and thighs for several months. This case report demonstrates a refractory case of AF with significant clinical improvement after six weeks of topical treatment with subcutaneous adalimumab in combination with oral doxycycline. This case provides evidence supporting the role of Adalimumab in the treatment of AF in addition to the other inflammatory conditions currently FDA approved for treatment with this tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitor. These conditions include plaque psoriasis, Crohn's disease, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.