Facial masks vestibulitis: the risk of mismanagement in the COVID-19 pandemic

Acta Biomed. 2022 Jan 19;92(6):e2021092. doi: 10.23750/abm.v92i6.11873.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the global population to adopt several public health measures, including social distancing, environmental disinfection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), which are still widely recommended although several vaccines are currently available. Dermatological and allergological diseases related to the extended use of the PPEs represent an emerging problem amidst the pandemic. In particular, there are increasing reports of skin damage, occupational dermatoses, Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) related to surgical facemasks and N95. We report the case of a superinfected ICD of the narinal region complicated in nasal vestibulitis, characterized by purulent secretions, narinal edema and nasal obstruction, with the aim of highlighting that even the incorrect use of protective against Covid-19 transmission can cause the onset of severe diseases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Dermatitis, Occupational* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Masks
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2