There were cases published after SARS re: contact dermatitis from respirator and mask use. Because the areas that touch skin are polymer-based, the fluid repellency messes with skin flora (both duration and agitation). I have done surveillance for contact dermatitis from fluid repellent garments and many people get what looks like little chemical burns/blisters and/or yeast infections. It can also exacerbate eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and vitiligo.

Heat and sweat can make any of these worse.

If the respirator or mask also has an antimicrobial coating, this can worsen the effects on skin given prolonged wear. Some addressed here.

There’s no happy answer to anything it seems right now.

Amber

Amber H Mitchell, DrPH, MPH, CPH

President | Executive Director

Email | amber.mitchell@internationalsafetycenter.org

Web | www.internationalsafetycenter.org

From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces+amber.mitchell=internationalsafetycenter.org@mylist.net> On Behalf Of Gwen Brachman via MCOH-EH
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 11:00 AM
To: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Cc: Gwen Brachman <gobmd@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Mask related reactions and rashes

I just put together a webinar for WHO on OSH for HWs in the time of Covid-19. There was almost nothing about prolonged use of PPE in the literature - but heat stress and skin/mucosal barrier damage do occur.

The source I used is an accepted but I don't think yet published article out of China

Consensus of Chinese experts on protection of skin and mucous membrane barrier for healthcare workers fighting against coronavirus disease 2019

If you can't find it (I found it on PubMed) let me know and I'll send it to you.

gwen brachman md

On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, 11:49:56 AM EDT, Enass Awad <umhaneen@gmail.com> wrote:

Good morning everyone:

Was wondering if you had to deal with mask-related skin reactions and rashes in the context of having employees wear masks all day!!!

If you did, are you calling those work-related and offer WC evaluations and treatment!!

Thanks ,

Sent from my iPhone

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