The Impact of COVID-19 on the Faces of Frontline Healthcare Workers

J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Sep 1;19(9):858-864. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2020.10.36849/JDD.2020.5259.

Abstract

As the coronavirus epidemic continues, a host of new cutaneous complications is seen on the faces of frontline healthcare workers wearing personal protective equipment on a daily basis. To minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection, healthcare workers wear tight-fitting masks that lead to an excessive amount of pressure on the facial skin. Mechanical pressure, mask materials, and perspiration can all lead to various types of cutaneous lesions such as indentations of the face, skin tears, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, ulceration, crusting, erythema, and infection. The objective of this article is to provide effective and straightforward recommendations to those health care providers using facial masks in order to prevent skin-related complications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(9):858-864. doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.5259.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Erythema / etiology
  • Erythema / physiopathology
  • Exanthema / etiology
  • Exanthema / physiopathology
  • Facial Dermatoses / etiology*
  • Facial Dermatoses / physiopathology
  • Facial Injuries / epidemiology
  • Facial Injuries / etiology*
  • Facial Injuries / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Global Health
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Masks / adverse effects*
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control
  • Occupational Health
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pandemics / statistics & numerical data
  • Personal Protective Equipment / adverse effects*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Risk Assessment